In a competition filled with lyrics about pressing issues in T&T, ten-year-old Rivaldo London delivered a stirring performance to take top honours at the San Fernando Carnival Committee's Junior Calypso Monarch. Competing against 12 other finalists, among them his elder brother Ronaldo London and defending champion Shawnel Bishop, London stole the show held yesterday at the San Fernando City Hall auditorium. The nephew of 2011 San Fernando Calypso Monarch Brian London, the pupil who hails from Fyzabad Presbyterian School, exerted confidence and style with his rendition Put Kaiso in School. His selection paid tribute to some of the country's musical legends such as Sniper, Lord Beginner, Atilla The Hun and the Mighty Spoiler were included in his lyrics.
The young artiste, dressed in his hat and waistcoat, had spectators dancing in their seats. Speaking after the show, proud mother, Elizabeth London, said her sons were versed in many genres of music. She disclosed that it was only Rivaldo's second year in competition and that he placed third in an event in 2011. No stranger to performance, the prolific Sherisse Collymore, a student of College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of T&T (COSTAATT) made an appeal to adults to set better examples for youths with her rendition of A Plea From the Children.
The youngster, who possesses a wonderful voice, was full of life as she gracefully wandered the stage. Following in third place with a mere four points behind, San Fernando Boys' Junior Calypso Champion 2011 Joshua Hinds continued his fine form. Singing Dreams of a Child, Hinds proved that the artform could survive with the abundance of talent he displayed. St Mary's Primary Jeromy Rodriguez and Nerrymiah Scipio rounded off the top five in third and fourth respectively.
Chief judge of the contest Peter Allard said he found that performance was truly gratifying for him. Allard said he was pleased with the lyrical content and that the renditions and performances were fantastic. He also took the time to give several tips to the young performers in terms of position and pitch of voice.