An initiative supported by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to engender a greater sense of patriotism and republicanism in the minds and attitudes of young people was launched officially yesterday.
The T&T Patriotic Song Competition will seek to reconnect and reinforce values among the youths, through music.
Born out of an idea by Rowley shortly after he assumed office last September, music consultant Junior Howell said: "At this point in time, we are trying to reconnect a disconnect among our youth in the area of aesthetic education."
Pointing out that music was a language understood by people of all ages and ethnicity, Howell said if attempts were not made now to bridge the gaps that existed in a respectful manner, "we are going to lose it."
Elaborating about the competition which is fully supported by the Ministry of Education, chairman of the T&T Patriotic Song Committee, Lennox Sirjuesingh, said it was a timely event as the nation got ready to celebrate 40 years as a republic.
Under the theme "For the Love of Country", Sirjuesingh said the event, which was expected to become an annual fixture on the school calendar, would encourage students from the primary, secondary and tertiary levels to explore their creativity by composing original lyrics and music highlighting positive aspects of the country's development.
Although the committee is set to meet with the 48 contestants today to draw for positions, Sirjuesingh said they were optimistic efforts to attract corporate sponsorship would prove fruitful over the coming weeks.
Revealing that they were offering $117,000 in prize money but that they "don't even have $200 yet," Sirjuesingh said the initial budget to host the event had been adjusted downwards from $353,000 to $267,000.
Claiming they were overwhelmed by the response and types of compositions submitted, Sirjuesingh said the entire event would be held at the Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Centre, Mc Bean, Couva.
The preliminary competition will be held on September 6 with 25 competitors moving on to the semi-finals on September 12, of which 15 will move on to the finals on September 16.
On the issue of sustaining that initiative, Sirjuesingh said they would also be producing a CD and DVD which could be purchased by the corporate sector to be distributed as part of their Christmas goodie basket.
Suggestions have also been proffered for the music to be played on airwaves in public and private school transport.
Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Officer, Ministry of Education, Paul Massy. said the competition would prove to be interesting as they had received submissions from students attending UWI, UTT and Costaatt at the tertiary level, with submissions from private, public and denominational primary schools. There were no submissions from Tobago.
The first place winner will receive $40,000 with the student's school being awarded $10,000; the second place winner will take home $20,000, with $5,000 being awarded to the respective school, and the third place winner will take home $10,000 with the school being awarded $3,000.
For the 12 unplaced finalists, Sirjuesingh said they would each receive a $2,000 appearance fee while the student who achieved best participant in the categories of primary, secondary and tertiary level will each receive $5,000.
The competition is open to soloists who must perform an original composition.
Each primary school is allowed two entrants, secondary schools three entrants and tertiary level institutions five entrants.
Students will be judged on lyrics (30 points); melody (30 points); arrangement (15 points); rendition (15 points) and presentation (10 points).
Contestants will be required to perform the song that they performed during all rounds of the competition.
Songs performed publicly on electronic media and for competitions prior to June 1 are not eligible for the competition.