Youth in the Spotlight Camp participants to hold talent showcase

BARBADIANS can lookout for a future showcase by participants in the Youth in the Spotlight Fun Music Camp.

Word of this came from Co-ordinator, Randy Eastmond, who spoke to The Barbados Advocate yesterday. This was the final day of the six-day camp, which was held during the Easter break. On this occasion, participants performed two reggae songs as a group,, with two leaders, a drummer, keyboardists and guitarists.

Eastmond, who is a music teacher at The Parkinson Memorial Secondary School, where the camp was held, said the 15 participants – who are ages 8 to 17 and mostly drawn from the school – were exposed to music theory and practice.

“Youth in the Spotlight is a charity organisation, and under it, we have several subsidiary groups and subsidiary initiatives which will give these children an opportunity to perform in a public forum.

“We hope to do a Youth in the Spotlight Public Showcase in a determined area – maybe Oistins – so that these children can showcase their talents.”

He further stated, “Within six days, we were able to bring these children to a point where they can actually play a song together. They also did music theory, they did vocal training, etc.

“When I was younger, I was part of a programme called ‘Youth Achieving Results Programme’ ,which is an initiative of the [National Cultural Foundation] NCF, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture – a whole collaboration under the direction of Mr. Collin Clarke. So this kind of takes a format in that regard.”

Eastmond, who additionally shared that Youth in the Spotlight was an idea birthed by Kevin Watson, spoke of plans to further develop the Camp.

“We are hoping to expand for the summer programme and cater to all the schools, and hopefully we can have greater numbers, greater tutors and a wider programme catering to more disciplines in music, [for instance,] tuk band, steal pan, saxophone... whatever the needs maybe for the children.”

Present at yesterday’s showcase were Principal of  Parkinson Memorial School, Jeff Broomes and Deputy Principal, Stephen Scott. Both gentlemen gave the camp their endorsement.

The camp’s participants were Neantro Spencer; Curtisha McCollin; Paulann Carter; Jaeesha Samuel; Sharadd Stanford; Joshua Sobers-King; Selwin Sivers; Rukiyah Olton; Micaiah Arthur; Cullicia Sargeant; Jacobi Parris; Dadri-Anne Best and Tanneil Burnett. (MG)