JUNIOR JUNKANOO
In December 1997, the Junior Junkanoo group of Abaco Central Secondary School travelled to Nassau to take part in the National Junior Junkanoo Competition where they placed 4th amongst Secondary Schools in their first ever try.
In January 1998, the group performed for Mr Derek Andrews, Music Director of the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. Mr Andrews was invited to come to Abaco by Ms Cavelle Macdonell, the Abaco Central Art teacher. Ms Macdonell is working hard to help develop the visual art and music talents of Abaco's youth. In addition to observing the Junkanoo group, Mr Andrews heard many of the students sing. Here are Mr Andrews' observations:
JUNIOR JUNKANOO NOTES
by Derek Andrews
One of the most impressive aspects of the Junior Junkanoo is the way that the embers of Bahamian tradition have been made hot with the talent of the Abaco youth.
The "arts" are a wonderful catalyst for unity and pride. I have seen the youth at Abaco High School surging with pride. The unrestrained joy in the faces of the participants held a strong message that should be encouraged to grow.
There should be no doubt about the value of a Junkanoo creative project for youths at a school such as Abaco high. The uplifting of struggling students, the encouragement of gifted talents, the self respect gained from the experience are but a few of the many positive aspects of a project of this nature.
If Abaco High aims to lift its goals for unity, harmony and a productive educational environment, I feel it must look favourably on opportunities for artistic expression. There are great talents amidst the student population. Some need to be channeled for great things, others may simply go into their community and shape it with the gifts they have developed. Others may shift the course of their education path from failure to success through the character building that may come from the Junkanoo revival.
The talent search auditions delivered up another strong vein of talent, largely in the line of the young women of the school. Gospel music, through church singing, has launched many of the singers to a level that should be further developed. Whether a traditional choir is created of a more non-traditional marriage of heritage and contemporary singing, there seems to be a potent body of talent that can be harnessed to another form of artistic expression with all the positive values carried in music, dance and the performing arts.
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