By CECILY ASSON Tuesday, March 9 2010

“PUT that sparkle in your eyes and keep the legato (smooth) in your voice and singing will be all the much easier,” enthusiastic adjudicator Dr Jan Harrington advised young altos and sopranos competing for excellence in Class 1b4 “Girl’s Vocal Duet” (16-19 years) in the afternoon session yesterday, of the 29th Biennial Music Festival at Naparima Bowl in San Fernando.

Dr Harrington, who for ten years was conductor of the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, urged the students to “polish your act!”

And without hesitation, the 22 girls comprising students of St Stephen’s College in Princes Town; Cowen Hamilton Secondary, Moruga; St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando; Naparima Girls High School, San Fernando and The Trebles Choir, together chorused “the breathing”.

Their test piece was “The Quiet Serenade” by Schubert and arranged by Nelson.

Dr Harrington immediately set to work on teaching the girls on how to control their breathing during singing. “When you take your breath, you must be ready for whatever the highest note is in your phrase and try to be able to sing through that note.”

He divided the girls, based on their voices, into altos and sopranos and had them do “a little exercise” which lasted more than ten minutes although he was only “giving you five minutes.”

During his session, Dr Harrington taught them how to “spin their breath” and “keep the breath moving.”

The key to proper breathing while singing, he advised, is never to start too heavy, instead always start light and with a good breath. Emerging winners yesterday in their class was the duet of Chole Bishop of St Stephen’s College and Anikha David of Cowen Hamilton Secondary School.

Tracy Tuitt and Fendi Mootoo of The Trebles and Kalisha Clement and Rex Ann Bobb of Naparima’s Girls High School tied for second place while Shenisse Simmons and Ersian Francois of The Trebles placed third. Yesterday Dr Harrington had a full day.

The morning session began with only one participant Valmikie Ramoutar playing the test piece Andante Cantabile by Gluck in Class 1d7 Violin solo (19 and under) Lower Grade.

Then there was the Girl’s Vocal Duet (13-15 years) with the test piece “How Still The Night” by Jenkins. Laura Tam and Giselle Edmond of St Joseph Convent placed first with Paige Scoon and Lerissa Ghouralal in second place. Duet Destinee Fernandes and Joanne Joseph of St Joseph Convent placed third.

Renaissance Prepartory School was the only competitor in Class 1c7 Primary School Folk Song Choirs - 20 singers and under (up to l2 years). They sang, their tune of choice, “Miss Lucy.” In Class 1d37 Primary School Band - 3 to 12 players (up to 12 years), Renaissance Prepartory School was the only competitor with their tune of choice “Heal the World.”

In the afternoon session, St Peter’s Private Primary School Choir (A) Recorder Ensemble, doing a musical medley in Class 1d36 “Primary School Recorder Ensemble - three to nine players (up to 12 years) beat schoolmates of the “B” ensemble into second place with their musical medley “Oliver” from Bach. Renaissance Preparatory School placed third.