Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh has paid tribute to the organisers of the National Schools Soca Monarch competition, saying it makes a significant contribution to the overall education of children in the school system.
"As Minister of Education, I cannot underscore enough the major significance of the National Schools Soca Monarch competition to the nation's children, and indeed, our education system," Gopeesingh said, at the launch of the 2014 Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch Competition and Digicel International Groovy Soca Monarch Competition on Thursday at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain.
The Caribbean Prestige Foundation for Performing Arts (CPF) also launched the Flavorite Supreme Ice Cream Schools Soca Monarch Competition and the NLCB Tribute to the Classics at the lavish gala.CPF head William Munro missed the launch of the 22nd edition of the event because of illness. He was at the venue before the start, but had to leave after feeling unwell. In his absence, Munro was praised by almost every speaker for pioneering the competitions.
Promising the Government's continued support of the venture, Gopeesingh said: "Indeed, Mr Munro, when you took the decision to introduce the National Schools Soca Monarch in our nation's primary and secondary institutions so many years ago, it was based on the foresight and recognition that music programmes in our schools, of all genres, and visual arts programmes in general, go a tremendous way in helping our children, communities and country in very real and substantial ways."
Gopeesingh also complimented Munro for embracing the nation's young soca artistes.In his address, new CPF chairman Peter Scoon promised that the 2014 production, to be held on Carnival Friday (February 28), will feature the largest stage ever constructed locally for a show, with state-of-the-art sound system and equipment imported from abroad.One innovation next year will be the introduction of RFID tickets, using the latest technology for ticketing and booking for large concerts.
Scoon said: "No other event could compare locally in entertainment or economically to the International Soca Monarch."Echoing the sentiments of Munro, Scoon urged the Government to become more involved in the production to ensure its longevity.Thursday's event ended on a joyful note, with guests being invited to participate in a karaoke session. In this segment, some popular artistes seized the opportunity to display their versatility.
Denise Belfon sang Blaxx's Leggo and Alison Hinds' Roll It and national junior monarch Aaron Duncan sang Mariah Carey's Hero. Also singing were Stefan Williams, of sponsors Guardian Media Ltd, and Anslem Douglas. The programme was preceded by greetings from sponsors of the events, including Keenan Roper (Flavorite), Pardeep Subrian (Blue Waters), John Delves (Digicel) and Brian Sawh (NLCB).
Subrian surprised all by announcing that in 2014 his company will sponsor a new award–Breakthrough Artiste of the Year.The crowd was also treated to a performance by Mr Famous, who sang his current hit single Play More Shadow.In attendance were Port-of-Spain MP Donna Cox; Port-of-Spain mayor Raymond Tim Kee and GML deputy managing director Brandon Khan.
Absent from Thursday's launch was reigning Digicel International Groovy Soca Monarch/joint Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch Machel Montano, who was said to be in Los Angeles. However, joint winner SuperBlue was on hand.