Showmanship trumps experience at Junior Calypso Monarch

Written by Sarah Williams - Feb 8, 2010

3rdplace

Experience had to take a back seat to showmanship today as six-year-old Aaron Duncan clenched the Junior Calypso Monarch title from the grasp of other seasoned competitors who had set their sights on the crown.

The secondary school finalists who filled the other top five places in the competition were no match for the lyrical and stage superiority of the youngster at the Queen's Park Savannah.

Last year's second place winner, Garve Sandy and College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of T&T (COSTAATT) student Victoria Cooper were caught by surprise when the announcement came that a newcomer had won the approval of the judges to take the $25,000 cash prize.

Both the Bishop High School, Tobago second-former and 17-year-old South Junior Monarch finalists had high hopes of capitalizing on their experience over other young talent but had to step aside to make way for the unknown contender.

Garve, who could not hide her disappointment, said she had no intentions of contesting the results.

"I am a bit shocked but the judges' decision is final," Garve said after she congratulated second place winner Victoria Cooper.

Garve rounded off the top three places with her solid rendition of "Fool Games". She said her performance suffered because she could not keep up with the fast rhythm set by the drummer of the band, Cummings and the Wailers.

She said the results will in no way distract her from defending her Tobago Junior Monarch title later this week.

Despite the high standard of costuming, props and background vocals at this year's show, it was the debut performance of the primary schooler that outranked fifteen competitors from primary and secondary schools.

Other noteworthy performances came from Alisha Williams and Sasha Moses, who placed sixth and ninth respectively.

Aaron, who came in the tail end of the day's line up, had the audience spellbound with his excellent stage command and antics when he performed the song "Doh Waste It".

The six-year-old secured an historic win over his older competitors when he stole the show and won the judges' hearts with his lively, well-rehearsed performance.

The song, written by Larry Harewood, told of the many warnings Aaron's mother would give when he would waste food, water, electricity or take for granted free education. The composer, a teacher at Rosary Boys' Primary, is also the name behind other junior winners, including calypsonian Karene Asche.

Megan Walrond, last year's winner, said she was impressed by the stage presence of the young 'kaisonians', especially the new monarch. Megan made a guest appearance at the show and performed two soca numbers moments before the winners were announced.

Among those looking on in the largely adult audience were veteran calypsonians Sedley Joseph aka Penguin, Gregory "GB" Ballentyne, and former calypso monarch Michael Osuna aka Sugar Aloes. Though well attended, the show failed to attract support from secondary school students; the largest turnout coming from San Juan South Secondary.

Aaron is the youngest junior monarch to be crowned in the history of the competition. His record surpasses one set by soca superstar Machel Montano, who won the title when he was just nine.

Here are the results for the 2010 TUCO Junior Calypso Monarch:

Place Name School

1st Aaron Duncan Newtown Boys' RC

2nd Victoria Shermilla Cooper COSTAATT

3rd Garve Sandy Bishop's High School, Tobago

4th Ezekiel Yorke St Mary's College

5th Helon Francis Woodbrook Secondary

6th Alisha Williams San Juan North Government Secondary

7th Necoda Francis Woodbrook Secondary

8th Dinessa Nelson Debe Secondary

9th Sasha Moses San Juan South Secondary

10th Ferdinand Smith Valencia South Government Primary