US-based Trini wins Music Festival solo title

Posted By: News
Date: Monday, 14 October 2002, at 7:25 a.m.

World Steelband Music Festival 2002:

By Sean Nero
Newsday

Leon "Foster" Thomas won the solo category of the World Steelband Music Festival on Saturday night, dethroning defending champion Sophia Subero, who ended up in fourth place.

Playing his own composition, "Me and the Storm", Foster, a Trinidadian representing Florida Memorial College (FMC)in the United States, who is studying for his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, scored 282 points.

He was 15 points ahead of his closest challenger, Alfred Harris, another FMC student, who played "Mystery" composed by Errol Garner and scored 267 points.

These two tops places were a repeat of last Thursday’s semi-final round of competition at the St James Amphitheatre, when Foster led the field with 274 points, while Harris earned 261 points. Both showed significant improvement in their musical offerings with Foster gaining eight marks and Harris, six.

American Andy Akiho placed third playing the musical selection "Macqueripe."

It was not a good night for defending champion Sophia Subero, of Exodus, who had to settle for fourth place with her challenging performance of "Czardas" in which she combined a single tenor and double tenor pans.

Apart from the soloists competition, Saturday night’s programme also saw keen competition in the ensemble category. A new winner was also named in this category, with the title going to newcomers UWI Festival Ensemble.

Under the direction of Jessel Murray the band scored 549 points playing "Last Year’s Happiness" composed and sung by The Mighty Terror (Fitzgerald Henry) and "Serenade for String" by Tchaikovsky.

Following the decision of joint defending champion Florida Memorial College to sit out this year’s festival, it was left up to the other defending band, Tipica Steel Orchestra to try to hold on to the top spot. However, the band gathered just enough points to settle in fourth place.

Rhapsody Rebirth Steel Orchestra from Arima attracted a great deal of interest when conductor Colin Chambers was so animated he almost fell off the stage. Golden Hands Steel Orchestra, under the direction of Franka Hill earned sustained applause and a standing ovation for its performance of the test piece, so too did Exodus for the Latin dance number "Bailamos".

The focus now shifts to the orchestra category, on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Jean Pierre Complex, Port-of-Spain where 17 local, regional and international bands will try to dethrone reigning champion TCL Group Skiffle Bunch.

How they placed:

Soloists
1. Leon Foster Thomas USA 282
2. Alfred Harris USA 267
3. Andy Akiho USA 267
4. Sophia Subero Trinidad 266
5. Marc Douglas Trinidad 260
6. Jason Peters Trinidad 258
7. Khuent Rose USA 250
8. Shenelle Abraham Trinidad 250
9. Shiron Cooper Trinidad 250
10. Mia Gormandy Trinidad 246
11. Rozelle-Anne Polydore 246

Ensembles:
1. UWI Festival Ensemble (Trinidad ) 549
2. Exodus (Trinidad) 529
3. Golden Hands (Trinidad) 526
4. Tipica Steel Orchestra (Trinidad) 520
5. Piton Diamonds (St Lucia) 510
6. South East PoS Steel Orchestra 500
7. Tornadoes Steel Orchestra (Trinidad) 480
8. Rhapsody Rebirth Steel Orchestra (Trinidad) 467
9. Tamana Pioneers Steel Orchestra (Trinidad) 464
10. Humming Birds (Trinidad) 444