Music dominated the third night of NIFCA semi-finals. As the evening before at the Alexandra School, it was the programme with more than the entries falling into that category. The Combermere Steel Orchestra opened up the proceedings with some rollicking renditions, as with the St.
Lucy Steel orchestra, adding credibility that the national Steel Orchestra will have quite a large number of credible members. Indeed, later on, one lone Combermerian, Jade Harding returned to give two powerful performances on his Double tenor pan with Pan in the 21st Century and Master Blaster . Also playing the pan with much aplomb was Marissa Callender, who performed two pieces including the Jazz standard Summertime .
It was a night when Combermere would take to its home stage several times, as the schools band as well as the School Strings Ensemble also faced the judges, so too did their school-mate Kevin Moore on the trumpet. It was also a night that saw several entries from the same groups. The heavenly Dawn Drama Group presented four pieces.
First, young Akeila Monerveille presented two dramatic pieces followed later by younger member Tiara Clarke. Young dramatists made way for young dancers as the Praise Academy of Dance showcased a new choreography, Time Beat and Change , featuring its younger members. This as the older members of the now popular group are returning from a United States Tour of their first musical.
Praise Academy soloist Jelisa Mayers and young dance trio presenting a piece entitled Trinity , and the Deighton Griffith school also performed credible dances. In the professional category, spoken word artiste Kelly Phoenix Chase and award-winning folk singer/calypsonian Michael Director Forde laid down powerful performances. NIFCA semi-finals continue this Friday at the Lester Vaughan school, and Saturday, Sunday and Monday evening at the Combermere school.
All performances start at 5 p.m.
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