Winning note: Bishop’s student takes Tobago Jr Calypso title with steelpan tribute
10 October 2024
Khalea Alfred performs her winning composition at the Tobago Junior Calypso Monarch finals at Shaw Park Complex on October 9. - Visual Styles
What started off as fun is now a passion for 13-year-old calypsonian Khalea Alfred.
On October 9, the Bishop’s High School student was crowned the 2024 Tobago Junior Calypso Monarch champion at the Shaw Park Complex.
Scoring 273 points, she beat nine others and walked away with $30,000 for her performance of Steelpan on We Coat of Arms. In her rendition, she said replacing Italian explorer Christopher Columbus' ships with the steelpan on the Coat of Arms should be a source of national pride for citizens.
Bishop's High student Khalea Alfred, centre, is presented with a $30,000 cheque for winning the Tobago Junior Calypso Monarch title at Shaw Park on October 9. - Visual Styles
During a PNM special convention in August, the Prime Minister announced that the steelpan will replace the Santa Maria, Pinta and Nina on the Coat of Arms, as the country continues to remove the vestiges of colonialism.
Dr Rowley said the issue will be dealt with at the start of the legislative term. The steelpan was named the national instrument after the passage of the National Musical Instrument Bill 2024 in July.
Dressed in her patriotic red, white and black, Alfred sang: "It is time for we to celebrate we steelpan, is we own. There is no better time than now for the panman to take his bow."
Speaking with Newsday after the competition, Alfred said she was elated.
“I am feeling very proud of myself and excited, because I know I worked very hard for this,” Alfred said.
Coming from a culture-oriented family, she said she started singing in these competitions “just for the fun of it.
“I really started as something for fun and I realised that I loved it, so I just continued.”
She said she expected to win – but had doubts.
“I was confident but yet still I wasn’t sure.”
She said this is her second time in this particular competition, having not participated last year.
“It was tough, sometimes I just wanted to give up, but I continued.”
To the nine other competitors, she said: “Congrats! Every year you come back stronger and better.”
Atiya Lynch tied for second at the 2024 Tobago Junior Calypso Monarch finals on October 9. - Visual Styles
Placing joint second with 270 points was Scarborough Secondary School's Atiya Lynch with "Mister Gun Maker", tackling the problem of shootings and murders on the island. Signal Hill Government Primary's Nyah Arnold tied for runner-up with "I, Myself and Me", focusing on the personal responsibility that individuals need to take.
Nyah Arnold tied for second place at the Tobago Junior Calypso Monarch finals at Shaw Park Complex on October 9. - Visual Styles
Bishop’s High School student Koquice Davidson delved into the increasing use of artificial intelligence with her song "Brighter than me" which earned her 262 points.
A press release from the Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd (TFCL) said the junior monarch contest is intended to be a showcase of youthful talent and creativity.
