NA Secondary School wins inaugural Secondary Schools’ Choral Speaking Festival
The Education Ministry’s Unit of Allied Arts on Friday hosted its inaugural Secondary Schools’ Choral Speaking Festival at the Theatre Guild and saw students from Regions Three, Four, Five, Six, and Georgetown showcasing their dramatic talents.
Acting Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts, Kurt Braithwaite
At the end, New Amsterdam Secondary School copped first place with their piece entitled “Guyanese Folklore”. As part of their prize, the group will be performing at their region’s Christmas Festival.
In second place was Uitvlugt Secondary School with their piece, “The Beauty of Music” and coming in third was Charlestown Secondary School performing their piece, “Perspective”.
New Amsterdam Secondary School won the inaugural Secondary Schools’ Choral Speaking Festival
Prizes were also awarded to the best conductor of each group.
Ascena Amsterdam from New Amsterdam Secondary received first prize while Leona France from Uitvlugt Secondary School got second place, and De’Angelo Tomlinson from Skeldon Line Path Secondary copped third place.
Choral speaking is defined as a group of people narrating a poem or a dramatic piece.
The competing schools were Ann’s Grove Secondary School, Belladrum Secondary School, Charlestown Secondary School, Fort Wellington Secondary School, New Amsterdam Secondary School, President’s College, Skeldon Line Path Secondary School, Tucville Secondary School, Uitvlugt Secondary School and West Demerara Secondary School.
Uitvlugt Secondary School got second place with their piece, “The Beauty of Music”
In brief remarks, acting Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts, Kurt Braithwaite stated that the event provides students with a platform to express themselves.
“This gives them an opportunity to develop their abilities to speak in public. They express themselves and this is what choral speaking is about. Here it also provides you with an opportunity to see how others can utilise their talents in different ways.”
Charlestown Secondary got third place with “Perspective”
He noted that while this is the first event of its kind, similar events will be held in the future.
Senior Education Officer (English), Sheldon Granville said that the Education Ministry’s Secondary Sector is happy to be a part of the event.
The judges tallying their scores
Before delivering the results, Chief Judge Randolph Critchlow, who is a local poet, teacher, and dramatist, noted that the event is a culmination of seven years of work and moving around the country. He further commended the Unit of Allied Arts for the role it played in the introduction of choral speaking in schools.
All participating students also received a Certificate of Participation.
