We’re talking about the Children & Youth, Calypso and Road March contest.
This year there were 29 performers at the event, judging from pictures it was spectacular, colorful, and sparkling, with young fired-up performers.
According to Dolfi Richardson, a consummate musician, musical coach and the island’s Interpol specialist (Directeur at Nationaal Centraal bureau Terrorismebestrijding, Veiligheid en Interpol, NCTVI), the materials presented by the kids are as good as that of the adults, and in some cases better. It was a high-level contest he says.
Each of the contestants is a kid who just loves to sing.
The Children & Youth, Calypso and Road March contest is their opportunity, their dedicated platform.
They rehearse year-round.
Mom & Pop shuttle them to rehearsals and pay for the music lessons, the songs, the arrangements, the costumes, and just ahead of the performance, the dancers, as each kid presents his song with an entourage of fabulous teen and pre-teen dancers.
And then the music dies.
Because the radio stations won’t play it.
The big bands will not play it.
The music is archived, shelved, to the great disappointment of the kids, who have recorded it professionally and all that is left for them, is an MP3.
Why?
Because the adults like their own Carnival music and do not take the time to also listen to the stuff produced by kids.
And then at 16 or 17 when these young performers get on stage with the adult big bands, and sing, everyone is surprised, where have they been?
They have been there all along, but no one took the time to listen.
One of my friends who has a singing 15-year-old daughter with excellent pipes, invests each year more than Awg 5,000 in her daughter’s presentation. The composer must be paid. The arranger must be paid, the studio recording time must be paid, and the musicians too, the seamstress, and the dancers must at least be treated to burgers and fries for the great job they have done, on stage.
It is an investment in kids’ talents. But many abandon the scene when they get no play.
Richardson reports he has six musical protegees, ages 7 to 15, and he will be starting the rehearsal for 2025, after a short break. This indifference to kids’ music is very frustrating, he says, I wish we could change things.
He is very enthusiastic about his young musicians and regrets the lack of acknowledgement they face.
If you go through the list of winners and peruse the names of their composers and arrangers you will find top talent, our best Carnival composers and arrangers put the stuff together, but they can’t get it played.
The list of 2024 winners
This year’s winners received free music lessons, for a full year, at the music school of their choice, courtesy of the Carnival organization, SMAC!
Best Costume: J-Vyon Besselink
Most Ambiance: Jetzenia Martines
Most Popular, children: J-Vyon Besselink
Most Popular, youth: Ishmerai Jubitana
Rookie of the Year, children: J-Vyon Besselink
Rookie of the Year, youth: Jetzenia Martines
Calypso & Roadmarch, children:
Calypso King, children:
Singer: J-Vyon Besselink
Stage Name: Jiv-Mariachi
Song: Duna nos amor
Composers: Janiro Eisden and Rygel Isabella
Arrangers: Janiro Eisden and Rygel Isabella
Roadmarch Queen, children:
Singer: Zanae Vesprey
Stage name: Easy Z
Song: Colors
Composers: Bobby Gibbs – Bradley Vesprey – Claudius Philips Jr. – Randolph Berry
Arrangers: Bobby Gibbs – Claudius Phillips Jr.
2nd place Roadmarch, children:
Singer: Eurwin Williams
Stage name: Mighty Coachi
Song: Ay Mash Up D’ Road
Composer and Arranger: Dolfi Richardson
3rd placer Roadmarch, children:
Singer: Hailey Philips
Stage name: Princess Hailey
Song: Way’e
Composer: Claudius Philips – Shaun Philips
Arranger: Claudius Philips
Calypso & Roadmarch, youth:
Calypso Queen, youth:
Singer: Ivy-Ann Browne
Stage name: Queen Ivy
Song: Give Thanks And Praise
Composer: Marina Hayes
Arranger: Ralph Godet
Roadmarch Queen, youth:
Singer: Jetzenia Martines
Stage name: Queen Shine
Song: Arubian Sauce
Composers: Janiro Eisden and Rygel Isabella
Arrangers: Janiro Eisden and Rygel Isabella
2nd place Roadmarch, youth:
Singer: Stephanie Quant
Stage name: Stephanie
Song: Deh Tell Meh
Composer: Maiky Olivia
Arranger: Eddy James
3rd place Roadmarch, youth:
Singer: Ivy-Anne Browne
Stage Name: Queen Ivy
Song: Soca Taking Ova
Composer: Valentino King
Arranger: Hendry Tromp
Congratulations to all 29 participants, may the radio stations and the bands wake up to hear your music.
