[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


National Arts Festival Hits Right Musical Note in Grand Bahama
By Eric Rose
Mar 28, 2014 - 12:15:24 PM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page

IMG_0178.jpg
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas – Tabernacle Christian Academy teacher Mr. Stuart Cherenfant plays the piano for his students, during the recent E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Grand Bahama Adjudications, held at Grand Lucayan Resort Convention Centre, in Freeport. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

Freeport Grand Bahama, The Bahamas – As the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival continues its second week of adjudications in Grand Bahama, young singers on the island said that they enjoyed competing and being able to showcase their talent.

Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy student Allinneicia Mitchell said that she felt it was a wonderful experience to take part in the Festival and hear other singers perform.

“It is very educational,” Ms. Mitchell said. “It helps you to gain experience as a singer and it is a great programme to get youth involved in such wonderful activities.”

Fellow schoolmate Lashawnd Johnson agreed that the Festival is a positive experience for young singers.

“It allows youth to enhance their vocal capacity and gives us a chance to compete against each other,” she said after competing in a school choir that scored a high mark that day.

“I’m proud of us because we put in a lot of hard work and time and entered in to do something that we love to do. It shows our strength in our group of members and it shows that we are going somewhere in life.”

Ms. Mitchell agreed and added that it is an experience not easily forgotten.

“This is my last year in high school and doing something like this with my schoolmates is great and it definitely makes memories,” she added.

Grand Bahama Academy student Kristen Saunders scored high with her gospel solo that day. She said that the Festival is an “awesome experience”.

“I believe that it is a training ground for those who want to further their ‘music territory’,” Ms. Saunders said.

“Well, I thought it was awesome,” her mother Sarah Rahming said. “The Bahamas has a lot of talent.

“I have been watching my daughter perform since the age of two so it is always a joy,” she added. “I am always when she has to do something.”

“I am proud of her performing in the National Arts Festival,” Ms Laurie Bullard, mother of Grand Bahama Academy student Letitia Bullard said about her daughter’s gospel solo.

“This is her first time getting that exposure in an area that she loves – music. I am glad for the opportunity for her to get tips from the professionals and help her along in her career.”

“I felt good that I had support from the sidelines,” Letitia said with a smile. “I definitely would want to enter again.”

Music teachers also chimed in with approval for the Festival.

Tabernacle Christian Academy teacher Mr. Stuart Cherenfant said that that is “always good” when the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival visits Grand Bahama.

“It really gives us a chance to expose our students to rest of The Bahamas; so we always embrace the opportunity when the National Arts Festival comes to Grand Bahama,” Mr. Cherenfant said.

IMG_0163.jpg
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas – Holmes Rock Primary School students perform a Disney song, during the recent E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Grand Bahama Adjudications, held at Grand Lucayan Resort Convention Centre, in Freeport. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

“I am happy that my students from Holmes Rock and West End Primary Schools were able to participate, especially for exposure and they were able to express themselves through singing and be able to showcase their talents – and especially for the children from those schools being from so far in the West,” said Ms. Keysha Forbes, who teaches music at both schools.

“They are not usually able to participate in a lot of functions that happen here in Freeport; so this gives them a lot of confidence and I am sure they will be back next year.”

Ms. Bullard summed up the views of many who were happy that the Festival was still in existence and relevant after more than 50 years.

“I am proud that it has been going on for that long and it is a good opportunity to showcase the talent – the local talent – and I hope that it will go a long way in giving our Bahamian children the confidence that they can succeed and not just let their talent die.”

The E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Grand Bahama Adjudications continue until March 28, 2013, at the Grand Lucayan Resort Convention Centre, and are free and open to the public. The next island that the Festival will hold adjudications is Abaco.






Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

Bahamas Information Services Updates
Latest Headlines
Junkanoo Summer Festival Is Back, Bigger and Better
ZNS Celebrates 86th Anniversary with Church Service
Doctoral degree posthumously conferred to Hon. A.D. Hanna by University of The Bahamas
Select Jif Peanut Butter Products Recall - Update
Dr. Rodney Smith confers final degrees as President and CEO of UB: asks graduates to take the next step with an open mind