Government Celebrates And Supports Our Musicians by Government of Saint Lucia

Issue 36 | 02 Nov, 2019

Government Celebrates and Supports Our Musicians: • • • • •

More grants to Saint Lucian artistes More opportunities to perform at home and abroad More training and workshops Reestablishing music education in schools Recording studios in various communities

Let the St. Cecilia’s Day and Music Month in Saint Lucia

Workshops and Training Programmes

Music Education in Schools

03. The Music Business in Saint Lucia 04. St. Cecilia’s Day and Music Month 05. Initiatives of the Department of Creative Industries

06-07. Workshops and Training Programmes 08-09. Exporting Our Music – Saint Lucian Artistes on the International Stage

10. Music Education in Schools 11. More Money for Soca and Calypso 12. Saint Lucia’s Independence 40 Celebrates Our Music!

13. Saint Lucia’s Music Icons and Pioneers 14. News Bites

Music

Play On…

he month of November has been set aside by Saint Lucian musicians and performers, as “music month.” The month was chosen due to the fact that for many years, November 22 has been observed as the feast of musicians or St. Cecilia’s day - St. Cecilia being the patron saint of musicians. The music scene in Saint Lucia is quite varied, with performers indulging in many genres. And while a structured music industry is still being shaped, over the years we have had some successes both on the regional and international music scene. The music industry is a complex and lucrative industry, which consist of not just the players we see in the forefront; the singers and musicians. It comprises songwriters and composers, producers, concert promoters, videographers, managers, conductors, bandleaders, record labels, music publishers, recording studios, engineers, retail and online music stores, performance rights organizations, booking agents, road crew and public relations and marketing personnel, among a host of other professionals. Recognizing the potential for Saint Lucian artistes and musicians to benefit from this multi-billion dollar industry, the Government has prioritized a number of initiatives to help build the industry here and monetize this aspect of intellectual property. In this edition of “OUR SAINT LUCIA” and in celebration of “music month” we focus on the efforts over the past year by the Government of Saint Lucia where music in concerned. Not only have performers been afforded more opportunities for training and workshops and to perform at the events staged under the Summer Festivals umbrella here, but Government has facilitated the travel of Saint Lucian performers abroad to perform at international festivals and events all over the world. Here at home, we also encourage our radio stations, DJs and announcers to play more of “our” music, not just this month but on a consistent basis so as to foster the growth of Saint Lucia’s music industry. Our Saint Lucia wishes all musicians a happy feast. Editor, Toni Nicholas

THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY BUSINESS in SAINT LUCIA

Many Stakeholders in Saint Lucia want to see Saint Lucia begin to monetize the creative industry, which is seen as a “real” export product if packaged and managed properly. Some of the players include EXPORT Saint Lucia, the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) the Ministry of Culture and Creative Industry and the Eastern Caribbean Collection Organization (ECCO). The charge is lead by none other than Prime Minister Hon. Allen Chastanet who over the years has seen to it that considerable investments have been made towards the creative industry here in Saint Lucia. • “Trade is what allows us to be economically and financially stable. In the case of Saint Lucia, what one would consider the traditional areas of trade, has been broadened. So obviously for us, our export market has been primarily dominated by tourism, bananas and some basic commodities. More recently, what we have been trying to do is to get more young people now to understand the value of intellectual property rights. So the idea of putting together a small business, in which a lawyer puts in equity an accountant can put in equity, a marketing person can put equity in and then get the brand license for those products on a global basis, so that we are no longer constrained by the physical borders of our country, but we are now starting to see the world as a borderless area and learning how to package our uniqueness. So trade has really just changed from being just bananas and bringing in basic products that we assemble - to allow a lot more sophistication with tourism and now intellectual property rights.” Hon. Allen Chastanet Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, speaking at a WTO Public Forum in September, 2019.

Sen. Hon Fortuna Belrose with Ronald Boo Hinkson

• At the CDF we are committed to providing a platform for training in the arts. Where music is concerned we have facilitated a number of programs including steel pan programs particularly for our young people, violin training, voice training and of course workshops for Soca and Dennery Segment. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our musicians an exciting music month and a wonderful celebration on St. Ceclia’s day. Danniel Belizaire – Chairperson of the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF).

• The music industry is an intricate composition that melds creativity, collaboration, culture, copyright and currency in a way no other industry can. It is made up of elements that deserve our admiration and protection if it is to flourish. At present the protectors of music copyright (such as ECCO Inc) are chasing music users for the payment of royalties; but most of this is happening after music users have already infringed on the rights of songwriters, composers and music publishers.

PM Chastanet with DG Azevedo of the WTO

• “A total of EC$500,000 will be allocated to training, building capacity and development programs by the Cultural Development Foundation. So far for this year a total of 226 persons were trained in the area of performing arts. We have been doing a number of workshops in the area of our of music industry and helping genres like the Dennery Segment to become more marketable and the get the artistes to understand the business side of the industry. We are also committed to strengthening the curriculum for schools, with a curriculum that is enriched to cater for the arts and provide a clear pathway for all those who wish to pursue the arts as a career.” Sen. Hon Fortuna Belrose Minister with responsibility for Culture and the Creative Industry speaking during an interview following the 2019 Budget debate.

Imagine what it would be like if our appreciation for the creative efforts and Rights of songwriters led us to seek a music license at the time that we are considering the use of music for commercial reasons. How might such a simple act impact an industry? What we choose to pass on to the succeeding generation matters. We can influence what they value now and later in life by setting the right examples when it comes to our environment and respect for the property of others. Let us collectively agree to do better. There’s no better time than now! Davis Joseph CEO ECCO (Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization) for music rights.

St. Cecilia’s Day and Music Month in Saint Lucia

M Saint Cecelia

usicians in Saint Lucia have long regarded the month of November as “music month.” This is due to the fact that November 22 is St. Cecilia’s day, a day commemorating the patron Saint of musicians.

St. Cecilia is said to have “sang in her heart to the Lord” as the musicians played at her wedding. Her feast day is celebrated in the Latin Catholic, Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches and in the Anglican Communion on Nov. 22nd .One of the most famous of the Roman martyrs, her feast day has been celebrated since about the fourth century.

From the name of St. Cecilia comes Cecyliada, the name of festival of sacred, choral and contemporary music, held from 1994 in Police, Poland. In Saint Lucia over the years, the celebration of St. Cecilia’s day has taken on many forms. In years past on the morning of November 22, free music performances were held in town squares and other open spaces. There has also been a number of concerts held leading up to the day, on the day itself, as well as radio programs dedicated to Saint Lucian music and artistes.

According to recorded history, despite her vow of virginity St. Cecilia, was forced by her parents to marry a pagan nobleman named Valerian. During the wedding, Cecilia sat apart singing to God in her heart, and for that she was later declared the saint of musicians. When the time came for her marriage to be consummated, Cecilia told Valerian that watching over her was an angel of the Lord, who would punish him if he sexually violated her but would love him if he respected her virginity. When Valerian asked to see the angel, Cecilia replied that he could if he would go to the third milestone on the Via Appia and be baptized by Pope Urban I. After following Cecilia’s advice, he saw the angel standing beside her, crowning her with a chaplet of roses and lilies. The legend about Cecilia’s death says that after being struck three times on the neck with a sword, she lived for three days, and asked the pope to convert her home into a church. Cecilia was buried in the Catacomb of Callixtus, and later transferred to the Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. The first record of a music festival in her honor was held at Évreux in Normandy in 1570. Since then her feast day became an occasion for musical concerts and festivals that occasioned well-known poems.

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES for Music Month 2019 November 6-15 – Schools Music Festival (Various School Districts) November 7 – Panel Discussion NTN November 9 – Mass at Minor Basilica November 15 – Schools Choir Festival November 16 – Consultation on Dennery Segment November 17 – Musicians Cricket Match November 20- Launch of AMP Saint Lucia November 22 – St. Cecilia’s day performances by 25 local bands island-wide and at the Derek Walcott Square November 30 – Beach party for children of Musicians, Vigie Beach

Gospel Artiste Shirleyann Cyril Mayers

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• • • • • • Secret Solo Band at the airport before leaving for Canada

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*The Cultural Development Foundation, the Department of Creative Industries and Export Saint Lucia, hosted a development program in Image and Marketing for Soca and Dennery Segment Artistes and Managers on 23rd and 24th September, 2019. Facilitation of a Gospel concert by Shirleyann Cyril-Mayers. Facilitation of the participation of soca artists at the 2019 Soca Awards and Miami Carnival (Nasis, Krome & Bobo). Provided support for artist Sabina Antoine to travel to Jamaica to work with Jamaican producers. Facilitated the participation of Saint Lucia’s Dennery Segment artistes Mighty & Subance in the finals of the International Bashment Soca competition in July in Barbados. Assisted Pantastic Muzik Steel Orchestra towards the cost of the tuning of instruments for the band. Grant awarded to young producer G6 Productions to acquire equipment to establish a music studio. Contribution towards the purchase of an amplifier for the SLBWA Band. Grant Awarded for the purchase of musical equipment to establish a music room. Contribution towards the production of one music video project for the artist - Kwesi “ishowa Mystic” Goddard. Facilitation of the participation of Soca artiste Arthur Allain in the 2019 Miami Carnival activities.

The Department of Creative Industry, has processed 9 grant requests from different subsectors of the creative industries from June 2019 to date.

Initiatives of the Department of Creative Industries

he department of Creative Industries falls within the ambit of the Ministry of Culture which falls under the Department of Tourism. In recent times the department of Creative Industries has assisted Saint Lucian creatives, not just with projects on the home-front, but with training, marketing and networking as well as appearances overseas. A wide cross section of the creative arts has received timely interventions. These include film, dance, music, visual arts and theatre. For the purpose of this publication, we focus on the strategic support given in the area of music. •

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The most recent assistance, by the department was in October for the Secret Solo Band, a popular group that performs indeginous music mainly in French Creole. The group’s participation in the annual Creole Celebration in Canada was facilitated by the Creative Industry. The Creative Industry in October also lent its support to the annual Creole Singing Competition (CHANTÉ KWÉYOL) 2019, which was won by Calypsonian Wally. Facilitation of the participation of Ronald “Boo” Hinkson and band in the 2019 Taichung Jazz Festival in Taiwan.

L-R Krome, (infrared Soundz) Bobo and Nassis in Miami

Ronald Boo Hinkson performing in Taiwan Reggae performer Ishowa

WORKSHOPS and TRAINING PROGRAMMES Imaging and Marketing Workshop

producer and Soca artiste and songwriter Skinny Fabulous.

The Cultural Development Foundation, the Department of Creative Industries and Export Saint Lucia, collaborated to host a development programme in Image and Marketing for Soca and Dennery Segment Artistes and Managers on 23rd and 24th September, 2019.

The export potential of the Dennery Segment has prompted the agencies to assist the music practitioners within the genre to improve the standard of their export product, in order to reach and penetrate external markets for their music. Additionally, the surging popularity of Dennery Segment music has sparked new interest in Saint Lucian music and Carnival. It has also created a new drive for young, vibrant and energetic artistes from all over the island. It is believed that the artistes involved and their managers need to improve their knowledge of the functioning and requirements of the international music market with the goal of eventually helping them to tap into it.

International Stephen addressing workshop participants

The facilitators were accomplished industry professional, International Stephen â&#x20AC;&#x201C;renowned DJ, promoter,

Soca performer Keytinna with Skinny Fabulous at workshop

Events Saint Lucia Gives Back From Wednesday, May 8th to Saturday May 11th, 2019, Events Company of St Lucia Inc. (ECSL) in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center hosted a series of music workshops at the Golden Palm Conference Center in Rodney Bay, as part of an ongoing student outreach programme initiated by ECSL in 2017. To celebrate the culmination of the 2019 Saint Lucia Jazz Music Programme, Events Saint Lucia and Doug Thiel, employee of

longstanding sponsor of the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival Steinway and Sons, partnered to gift participants in the programme with two musical instruments, a Jean Paul Acoustic Electric Guitar 40” complete with a Jupiter Classic Guitar Bag and a Roland Fantom X-8, 88 note Weighted Key, Action Keyboard with a Travel Case. The recipients of these gifts were the Marchand Sacred Heart Youth Orchestra and the Saint Lucia School of Music respectively, both entities having participated fully in the 2019 Saint Lucia Jazz Music Education Programme. Sen. Fortuna Belrose Minister of Culture in the Ministry of Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Culture and Creative Industries with responsibility for Culture and Creative Industries was on hand to assist with the presentation. “We are thrilled that Events Company of Saint Lucia has spearheaded this initiative which is in line with one of our ministry’s core objectives to develop the creative arts, jazz music being one such focal point,” she said. “Our aim is to get the youth and the public excited about jazz by creating opportunities to showcase them and reward them for their efforts. We congratulate the St Lucia School of Music and the Marchand Sacred Heart Youth Orchestra on their achievements.” The Marchand Sacred Heart Youth Orchestra and the St. Lucia School of Music are also being recognized for their participation in Saint Lucia Jazz in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, each having appeared at major venues for this year’s festival. The four part music education series was hosted by four of the headline acts who performed at the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival this year. They were Etienne Charles who is Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, six-time GRAMMY®-winning jazz bassist Christian McBride, Grammy and Emmy nominated bassist, singer, composer Russell Hall and Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Patrick Bartley. Students performing at Jazz workshop

Steelpan Training The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) has over the years invested heavily in training programmes. One area which has not been left out is the Steelpan. The CDF has been on a campaign to introduce and reintroduce steelpan to every district in Saint Lucia. Their efforts have paid off over the last two years, with Steelpan groups from Soufriere, Canaries and Anse La Raye joining already established ones like Laborie Steel Orchestra, Babonneau Steel orchestra and Pantime from Gros Islet at the National Panorama competition. In August of this year the CDF continued its support of community outreach training in steelpan, in the town of Soufriere at the old Soufriere Oil Factory. The activity saw great participation from students of the Soufriere Primary School.

Steelpan training in Soufriere

Grammy Winning Producer/ Music Engineer Establishes links with Saint Lucia A professional and mentorship relationship with Saint Lucian drummer Marvalon “Stixx” Mitchell has fast-tracked a visit to the island by Grammy acclaimed music engineer and producer Gordon Williams. Williams known in the music Industry as “The Commissioner” was in Saint Lucia in November of 2018. While here the CDF facilitated a workshop with “The Commissioner” and Saint Lucian musicians to help facilitate growth opportunities for Saint Lucia’s music industry. “The Commissioner’s list of professional associations and projects include a number of international music chart toppers like Lauryn Hill, Babyface, Quincy Jones, Wyclef Jean, Amy Winehouse, Santana, and The Marleys.

participants at CDF workshop with renowned producer Gordon Williams

CDF Hosts Music Industry Symposium On Friday April 27 and Saturday April 28, 2018, the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) hosted a Music Industry Symposium for singers and musicians. The objectives of the symposium were to educate, engage, support and foster connections for aspiring artists, singers and musicians, internationally. The Music Industry Symposium facilitated a music industry panel and four breakout sessions on topics that included: the music business, brand marketing, artist development, music production, survival tips for singers/musicians, vocal health, contract agreements, performing rights organizations (BMI, ASCAP), copyrights and a range of other topics. Session speakers included Tracy Hamlin, International Recording Artist, Owner of DMH Records, Vocal Coach and National Trustee for the Recording Academy (Grammys); Stephanie Thomas – Entertainment Attorney and Owner of SKTLegal, a law practice focusing on Entertainment Law, Small Business Law, Copyright and Trademark Law; Crystal Bozeman – Founder and President of Shazier Enterprises LLC and Manager for Multi-Grammy Award winning Singer/ Actress Mya and Traci Braxton; Elise Perry – Music Producer for Kindred and the Family Soul/Engineer/Composer/Video Director for Black Girls Rocks and Owner of BeauxArt Media LLC. The symposium which was held at the Dolphin Conference Room, Bay Gardens Beach Resort was very well attended by established as well as upcoming Saint Lucian singers, producers and songwriters.

EXPORTING OUR MUSIC–

SAINT LUCIAN ARTISTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Ronald “Boo” Hinkson and band takes Taiwan by Storm On Tuesday, October 15, 2019 the Embassy of Saint Lucia hosted its 40th Independence Anniversary Gala Concert at Shih Chien University in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei. The concert, which was the first of its kind, featured a starstudded performance line-up from both Saint Lucia and Taiwan and was co-hosted by Tzu-Yin Hsu of Taiwan and Keril Victor, a young Saint Lucian singer who has been receiving a lot of recognition in Taiwan and is currently competing in a major TV Talent competition, Jungle Voice.

jazz and Afro-Caribbean undertones as well as his own original pieces. Speaking to “Our Saint Lucia” upon his return, Ronald “Boo” Hinkson says that he is very grateful for the opportunity afforded him by the Government of Saint Lucia to perform in Taiwan with his band. “First of all I would like to thank the Government and people of Saint Lucia for this opportunity and in particular the Office of the Prime Minister for making this happen, as well as Senator, Honourable Fortuna Belrose, Minister of Culture,” Boo says. “I also want to thank the Government and people of Taiwan, our ambassador to Taiwan Edwin Laurent and Danny Belizaire, the chairman of CDF who accompanied us as head of delegation and who made sure everything happened smoothly, his input was crucial,” he went on to say. The experience in Taiwan Ronald “Boo” Hinkson says was mind blowing and he could not help but notice how gracious the people of Taiwan are, as well as their level of efficiency and order. “It was an experience that I do not think that me or the members of my band will ever forget. The responses we got as well from the patrons at the concerts, and from the dignitaries at the gala was quite overwhelming,” Boo says. The fact that their performances received such great reviews and was well covered by the media in Taiwan, is something Boo says has once again thrown the spotlight on Saint Lucia in a very positive way, and can only help open doors for even more performers, not just in Taiwan but Asia as a whole where there is a huge market waiting to explore.

Royal Saint Lucia Police Band Rocks Taiwan An annual festival featuring a series of activities ranging from parades to music, opened in Chiayi in December of 2018, and included the Royal Saint Lucia Police Band, performing for the first time at the event.

Ronald “Boo” Hinkson and his band performing in Taiwan

The Jazz Ensemble of Ronald “Boo” Hinkson and Friends which was the featured act of the evening, had performed at the Taichung Jazz Festival the night before, with a massive reception from more than 27,000 patrons, not to mention an encore. Ronald “Boo” Hinkson and his band performed twice in Taichung at the Taichung Jazz Festival at the Taichung Civic Square (October 5 and 14). “Boo” wooed thousands of concert attendees with his own style of music fused with

Royal Saint Lucia Police band in Taiwan

The 2018 Chiayi City International Band Festival expanded its scope for the first outside of the city, with performances held in four other cities and counties, including Kaohsiung, Changhua, Tainan and Taichung.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Band, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2017 was among the highlights of the event. The band’s trip to Taiwan was facilitated by the Office of the Prime Minister in Saint Lucia and the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Saint Lucia and the ambassador Douglas Chen. The festival, which ran from December 15 through Dec. 23, feature indoor and outdoor concerts, by more than 80 local and foreign bands and groups, according to the organizers. Upon their return to Saint Lucia, the Royal Saint Lucia Police band, expressed gratitude to the Government and People of Saint Lucia and the Government and people of Taiwan. They described the experience as hectic yet amazing and very heartwarming to see how the band was received.

Taking Saint Lucia’s Soca Music to the World

He has competed on more than one occasion at the International Soca Monarch, with assistance from the Government of Saint Lucia. Over the last three years, the Soca artiste has performed at every major carnival around the globe and on Soca cruises as well as in Europe and Dubai. For Teddyson John, his recent Soca Award in Miami in October for “Vent”-“Best Groovy Soca of the Year” and First runner up at the International Groovy Soca Monarch Competition in Trinidad in February-it has been a whirlwind of successes. Let us not forget his surprise after coming off stage in Trinidad, and being greeted by Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Hon. Allen Chastanet and Minister Lenard Montoute. Over the years the OPM and the department of creative industries has worked with the artiste on several of his projects. Teddyson John and Motto at the 2019 Soca Awards in Miami

There is no doubt, that Saint Lucia’s soca music is helping establish the island as a force in the industry and is also helping place Saint Lucia’s carnival on the list as one of the best in the Caribbean. This redounds to economic benefits in the area of tourism for the island and directly to the many artistes who now have more opportunities to perform internationally.

For Motto, who is based in the USA, it has been nothing but success after success ever since he delved into the Dennery Segment genre. Motto is a Producer, writer, performer, who also walked away with two awards at the International Soca Awards in Miami (Best Riddim and Animated Video of the Year). His beats have helped raise the bar locally of the genre now known as Dennery Segment, before taking the sound global in 2014.

Soca Monarch Ricky T

Among those raising the Saint Lucian flag at the highest level on the international stages are Ricky T, Teddyson John and Motto. Ricky T who is the current Power Soca Monarch of Saint Lucia and who has won the most Soca titles here, has had tremendous success over the years, ever since his breakout international hit “Pressure Boom” in 2007.

Today, Motto is a household name in the industry and performs all over the world. He has also written and produced hits with the likes of Machel Montano, Shal Marshal, Skinny Fabulous, Patrice and many others. And energetic performer, he can always be seen wearing his Saint Lucian colours by way of his branded armbands and bandanas wherever he performs. The Government salutes these artists and others for being true ambassadors for Saint Lucia!

Music Education in Schools

he Ministry of Education is pushing ahead to have music education become part of the curriculum of every school on the island. Within the Curriculum and Material Development Unit,(CAMDU), Ministry of Education, Saint Lucia, is a department responsible for music education in schools. The department is responsible for establishing the music curriculum for Primary Schools here. The music curriculum comprises three strands: • Listening and responding • Performing • Composing Musical activities are suggested within each strand unit that enable the child to develop an awareness of and sensitivity to the inter-related elements of music (pulse, duration, tempo, pitch, dynamics, structure, timbre, texture and style) and to grow in musical understanding. Active participation in musical games and in other pleasurable musical experiences is fundamental to the child’s acquisition of musical knowledge, understanding and skill. Assessment, as in other areas of the curriculum, is an integral part of teaching and learning in music. A range of assessment techniques outlined in the curriculum, can enrich the learning experience of the child and provide useful information for teachers, parents and others. The child’s understanding and experience of music can be broadened and enriched in various ways through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Aims The aims of the music curriculum are: • to enable the child to enjoy and understand music and to appreciate it critically

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to develop the child’s openness to, awareness of and response to a wide range of musical genres, including Irish music to develop the child’s capacity to express ideas, feelings and experiences through music as an individual and in collaboration with others to enable the child to develop his/her musical potential and to experience the excitement and satisfaction of being actively engaged in musical creativity to nurture the child’s self-esteem and self-confidence through participation in musical performance to foster higher-order thinking and lifelong learning through the acquisition of musical knowledge, skills, concepts and values to enhance the quality of the child’s life through aesthetic musical experience.

Laborie Girls Choir at Independence event

grand National School Music Festival as part of Nobel Laureate week in January. Typically the best choirs are also given the opportunity to perform at national events such as National Day and Independence.

Junior Calypso This year the National Schools Calypso Competition was held over two days, June 6 and 7 – with Primary schools on the first, Secondary schools on the second. Mighty Lily of the Castries Anglican School and “Sweet E” of Corinth Secondary School were the respective winners of the Primary and Secondary Schools category of the Junior Calypso Monarch competitions. Mighty Lily with Sen. Fortuna Belrose

Jason “Bachelor” Joseph, who is a former Calypso monarch of Saint Lucia, is the curriculum specialist for music at CAMDU. “My main responsibilities are to supervise the teachers, to make sure that the music education program is going on as it is supposed to, and we also spearhead workshops and training programs and of course develop the curriculum resources. Joseph has also been at the forefront of preparing both students and teachers for activities such as the National Choir Competition (now the Schools music Festival) and the National Schools Calypso Competition, where students are given the opportunity to showcase their talent.

National Schools MUSIC Festival What started off as a competition among schools around the island is now a major festival in the month of November which is recognized as music month in Saint Lucia. The National Schools Music Festival will be held first at the Education District Level. From there the best School Choirs are selected to perform at the

Junior Calypso is endorsed by the Ministry of Education and organized by the Cultural Development Foundation and Events Company of Saint Lucia. Sweet E.

More Money for Soca and Calypso

Ti Carro Calypso Monarch aint Lucia’s carnival is one of the largest showcases for Saint Lucian creativity, not least of which is the music. Calypso, Power Soca, Groovy Soca, Steelpan music and now Dennery Segment, bring forth the pulsating rhythms that drive the Carnival.

With more money being pumped into the cultural showcase by the Government- among the beneficiaries of the bigger budget for carnival, has been the Calypsonians and the Soca artistes. Prior to the finals of the competitions, the finalists are given financial assistance to help with their preparations for the night of competition. Ricky T- Soca Monarch

The increase in the financial injection into the carnival product, has seen the event grow by leaps and bounds with many more events on the carnival calendar. This has resulted in more opportunities for the artistes to perform their songs. The competition element however remains central to Carnival, with Government having the responsibility for staging the main events through the Events Company of Saint Lucia and the CDF. These included Panorama, National Calypso Competition and the Groovy and Power Soca Monarch Competition. The entities also have oversight for the adjudication of the Road March winner. The 2019 Calypso Monarch was won by Ti Carro. Groovy Monarch title went to new comer Sly (of Vye Twizeen Boys) and Ricky T won the Power Soca Monarch title. Each winner received EC$30,000. The Road March winner Edwin with “Call My Mother for Me” received EC$10,000..”

Music Copyright 101 As an artist, songwriter, or producer. As an independent songwriter/composer, you own your songs and recordings. It’s YOUR intellectual property. Ownership of your music copyright gives you leverage, protection, and power when it comes to making money from your music catalog.

The support given to many artistes and producers over the years, as well as training opportunities, has also seen the increase in not just the volume of music being released for carnival, but the quality has improved as well. Sly – Groovy Monarch

What is copyright? Copyright signifies the ownership of intellectual property by a person or group. Music copyright also grants certain exclusive rights to the owner(s), one of the most important being the right to earn money from that intellectual property. There are different rights within a sound recording including the lyrics, the musical composition, the production and the performer. At the moment in Saint Lucia there is only one collection agency ECCO, responsible for the rights of the composers. Discussions are now on the table for an agency to be responsible for related rights; the rights of producers, musicians and performers. Music copyright designates the ownership of a particular song or recording. By registering your song with a copyright agency such as ECCO, you are entitled to earn royalties for your song based on the use of that song for airplay or other commercial purposes.

Some of the Saint Lucian artistes who performed at the best of Saint Lucia independence 40 Concert

Winners of Independence song competition, Michael Robinson (3rd place) Menel (Center) winner and Nintus second place.

Saint Lucia’s Independence 40 Celebrates Our Music!

aint Lucia’s year-long celebration of 40 years of independence (February 22 1979- February 22- 2019) was launched on December 12, 2018. And from the onset Saint Lucian musicians and singers played a very important role in shaping the music soundtrack for such an important milestone. The anniversary launch featured the song and accompanying music video “Helen” produced by Loggo Lionel and featuring Rashaad, Kayo, Michael Robinson, Tori Elle, Teddyson John and Curmiah Lissette all young and exciting Saint Lucian talent. As the celebrations kicked off in 2019, another song was commissioned by the Saint Lucia Independence 40 committee. The resulting song was written and composed by Ronald “Boo” Hinkson and featured singers Wilburne Mathurin, Manasseh Stanislaus and Jennifer St Louis and produced by Vincentius Florenville and Ronald “Boo” Hinkson.

Independence 40 featured a number of competitions including a National Song Competition that was eventually won by Menel with the song “Our Saint Lucia 40th.” In second place was Nintus with Happy Birthday Mother and Michael Robinson placed third with “Our Journey.” The winner received EC$8,000 with EC$5000 and EC$2000 going to the second and third places respectively. Impressed with the quality of the submissions, it was recommended that besides the top three winning songs, honorable mention be given to at least three other songs that stood out. The three songs chosen for honorable mention were “Freedom 40” by Juliana Perpie Carter, “It’s Our Independence” by Elra Ermay Glasgow and “He’s Been Good” by Special Blend. A number of concerts were also held as part of the grand independence 40 Celebrations featuring Saint Lucian artistes of various genres including Folk, Reggae, Gospel, R&B, Calypso and Soca.

“New” Music Association to be Launched in November! With assistance from the Office of the Attorney General here in Saint Lucia, the Association of Musicians, Producers and Performers of Saint Lucia (AMPP SLU) was recently formed here. AMPP SLU was registered as a non-profit association in The Ministry of Social Transformation, Local Government and Community Empowerment.. The association is being run by an interim executive committee. The AGs office assisted the interim executive committee with incorporating the entity as to ensure its legal standing and credibility.

Saint Lucia’s Music Icons and Pioneers • Joseph ‘Rameau’ Poleon - a violinist from Belle Vue, Vieux Fort who was named a national cultural hero by the Saint Lucia Folk Research Centre in 2013. • Marie Selipha “Sesenne” Descartes – a recipient of the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire DBE for her contribution to Folk culture and community service. Referred to as the queen of culture, she was one of the foremost exponents of the art of the chantwel in Saint Lucia.

Joseph ‘Rameau’ Poleon

Marie Selipha “Sesenne” Descartes

Petronila Deterville

Lennard “Scrubb” Wellington

• Petronila Deterville- Founder of the “Cecilian Reys”, a musical group from her home town, Anse La Raye, Petronilla was instrumental in many youth groups and choirs in her community including the Anse La Raye Youth Orchestra. • Frank Norville –Norville was a photographer, actor, dancer and cultural activist, but what he was best known for was his work as a singer, musician and composer. He has arranged and recorded a large repertoire of Saint Lucian folk music and is credited with preserving what might otherwise be lost.

Frank Norville (in white hat) and his group

• Jeff “Pelay” Elva- Known as the Mighty Pelay in Calypso circles in Saint Lucia he won the Calypso crown seven times during his 40 year career, as well as the road march and Soca monarch. He also recorded the first West Indian Christmas album. • Joyce Auguste - A Saint Lucian musician and leader of The Hewanorra Voices, which became a major popular folk band in the 1970s. Auguste also worked as music supervisor for the Saint Lucian school system and introduced folk music into the school curriculum.

Jeff “Pelay” Elva (Mighty Pelay)

• Lennard “Scrubb” Wellington – In the 1940’s a young man named Lennard “Scrubb” Wellington, started on his way to becoming Saint Lucia’s steelband maestro. He went on produce the first locally made steel-pan instruments and with friends formed Saint Lucia’s first steelband orchestra called “Pirates.” His band later went on to become Scrubb’s Steel Orchestra. • Ronald “Boo” Hinkson- Boo is a guitarist, writer, composer, singer who rose to fame as leader of the Tru Tones, a band which had widespread popularity in North America and the Caribbean. As a solo artistes he has performed at several major Jazz festivals around the world. • Ignatius “Invader” Tisin – Calypsonian invader is a four-time calypso monarch, an extempo monarch, a seven-time Road March King, and a King of Kings champion. He is one of the most travelled calypsonians in Saint Lucia today.

Joyce Auguste Ronald “Boo” Hinkson

Ignatius “Invader” Tisin

News Bites

Saint Lucian sculptor Jallim Eudovic,” the PM explained. The Piton Cup is taking place on December 13th 2019, and will feature a free concert.

Additionally, the joint venture will design, finance, construct and operate a new cruise port in Vieux Fort that will be able to accommodate the latest and most innovative ships in the cruise industry, according to a press release.

Successful and Incident Free Jounen Kweyol Saint Lucians turned out in large numbers in places all over the island on Sunday October 27 to celebrate Jounen Kweyol. Although the main venues for the celebration were Beausejour in Gros Islet, Vieux Fort and Choiseul - in many other communities across the island persons gathered to celebrate the island’s French heritage. With October now being observed as Creole Heritage Month, activities reached fever pitch on Friday October 25 with schools and business houses marking the occasion in their own way. Sunday’s main activity featured live cultural performances, local cuisine and art and craft among other things.

Caribbean Secondary Schools Drama Festival Saint Lucia will host the Caribbean Secondary Schools Drama Festival from November 3-9, 2019, under the theme “L’espwi Theatre, (The Spirit of Theatre). The festival is the first and only performing arts exchange programme for secondary schools in the Caribbean region. “Let us ensure that Caribbean integration and visitor arrivals to our shores is continued through the legacy of what we bring to this drama festival. What we are going to give is the best of our culture and hospitality. We are glad to support and lead the charge in this venture,” said the Chief Education Officer. The Ministry of Education, the CDF and Events Company of Saint Lucia are the collaborators of the activity.

“As you may be aware, 40 thoroughbred horses have arrived on island in preparation for the inaugural Pitons Cup happening on December 13th, 2019. All the horses were paid for and are owned by Mr. Teo Ah Khing and the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club. The bespoke trophy for the race is being designed by acclaimed

Anti-Violence Initiatives For Three Saint Lucia Primary Schools Saint Lucia was chosen as one of five member countries within CARICOM where Champions of Change Clubs will be established. Louis Dodson, Project Manager with the Crime and Violence Prevention section at the CARICOM Secretariat, said studies revealed that even primary school students have been exposed to gang activity. The Champions for Change Clubs will be established at the Ciceron Primary, Soufriere Primary and Canon Laurie Anglican Primary Schools.

Saint Lucia Gets Set To Host Richest Race In The Caribbean Saint Lucia is getting set to host what has been dubbed ‘ the richest race in the Caribbean’, with a grand prize for the main event set at USD$150,000.00. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has announced that the goal of the Pitons Cup is to bring notable and established horse owners and breeders to own horses in Saint Lucia. These horses will be maintained by the locals, creating employment for many Saint Lucians.

As part of the MOU, Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean and the government of Saint Lucia will establish a long-term concession agreement to formalize the terms and responsibilities for the joint venture to manage and operate the current cruise pier and terminal facilities at the Port of Castries.

Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean and Saint Lucia Government Sign MOU The Government of Saint Lucia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises to form a joint venture to manage the existing cruise pier and terminal facilities in Saint Lucia, and to design, construct and operate a new cruise port in the south of the island. The MOU was signed during a ceremony October 21 in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the FCCA Cruise Conference.

The project manager noted that the schools were selected after having met certain criteria including the size of the school, the need for the intervention and the possibility of partnering with similar interventions by other players.

RECORD SEPTEMBER Already basking in seven record-breaking months of increases for 2019, the month of September has gone down as an unprecedented one for visitor arrivals to the island, specifically Stay-Over Arrivals. Captured figures indicate that Saint Lucia received 21,608 stay-over visitors for the month of September – a 15% increase from last September and the largest percentage increase for the year.

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Dr. Gale T C Rigobert

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October 29, Ministry of Education Continues to Explore Scholarship and Academic Exchange Opportunities Following the recent visit to Lucerne University in September by Prime Minister Honourable Allen Chastanet, overseas engagements with learning institutions by the Minister for Education in Switzerland, Canada and the USA for example, a seven (7) member delegation headed by Honourable Dr. Gale T.C. Rigobert, Minister of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, continued to explore scholarship and academic exchange opportunities during an eleven day visit to Universities and Colleges across Florida over the period October 1 to October 11, 2019.

Allen Chastanet

www.facebook.com/allenmchastanet www.twitter.com/allenmchastanet October 28 The St Jude Hospital Reconstruction project is well underway. As we speak, over 300 tonnes of steel is being prepared and laid for the foundation of the project. Approximately 60 construction workers are currently employed on the site and this number will increase significantly as work progresses.

Fortuna Belrose

www.facebook.com/fortunabelrose758 October 27 With US based St. Lucian Judge Lucia Baites at celebrations in Vieux Fort

Bradly Felix

www.facebook.com/bradlyfelix758 October 27 Celebrating Jounen Kweyol Choiseul style with Senator Fortuna Belrose and Hon. Guy Joseph

Ezechiel Joseph

Herod Stanislas

Stephenson King

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Edmund Estephane

Sarah Flood Beaubrun

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Hermangill Francis

Guy Joseph

Dominic Fedee

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Mary Isaac

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Lenard â&#x20AC;&#x153;Spiderâ&#x20AC;? Montoute

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