The Canon Laurie Anglican Primary and Sir Ira Simmons Secondary schools successfully defended their titles at the 4th Annual Sagicor Schools Choir Competition finals on Tuesday.
Six schools competed in the finals, including four primary schools and two secondary schools.
Canon Laurie Anglican captured the primary school category with a calypso and reggae medley, securing a third consecutive championship.
The Canon Laurie Anglican Primary school secured their third consecutive choir competition title following a calypso and reggae medley choice piece performance. (Photo Credit: Jason ‘Bachelor’ Joseph Facebook)
Sir Ira Simmons Secondary retained the secondary school title with a tribute performance honouring the late Nicole ‘Niki’ David.
The Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School delivered a well-received tribute piece to the late Nicole ‘Niki’ David. (Photo Credit: Jason ‘Bachelor’ Joseph Facebook)
Other primary schools in this year’s finals were Augier Combined, Babonneau Primary, and Ave Maria Girls Primary.
The Stanley Jon Odlum School of Arts, Media and Design competed in the secondary school finals.
Organiser Jason ‘Bachelor’ Joseph said the competition lived up to expectations and hailed the enthusiasm of participating schools.
“Looking ahead, I hope to see an even greater diversity of musical performances and the involvement of a broader cross-section of schools at the proposed Sagicor Schools Music Festival in 2027,” he stated.
In an earlier interview with St Lucia Times, Joseph, a well-known musician and cultural preservationist, noted a decline in school choirs over the years. He cited challenges for teachers, including the inability of students to stay at school after classes.
“The instrumental programmes at the schools, they’re surviving because you have individual students and they don’t mind staying, but to work with the larger groups, the teachers have been unable to rehearse after school,” Joseph said.
Next January’s show will return to the festival format last used five years ago, featuring both solo and group performances.
“I also believe the music festival will give a better representation across the island of what’s happening musically in schools,” Joseph said.
