Many times the physically and mentally disabled are shunned, ridiculed and burdened with a plethora of social problems but this did not hinder hundreds of disabled students from proving their worth last Friday. From ringing sweet melodies on the tenor pan to executing athletic cartwheels at the Southern Academy of Performing Arts (SAPA), 16 schools for the disabled took part in the Consortium of Disability Organisations (CODO) and the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s (UTT) third annual Music Festival for the Disabled.
It was an engrossing festival for parents, well-wishers and peers looking on what the disabled could present musically. Viewers who expected a sub-par presentation of music were brought to tears at the hearty and spirited performances handed down by students afflicted by autism, down’s syndrome and hearing and visual impairments. Dedication and excitement were shown by the performers who underwent weeks of intense practice under the tutoring of UTT’s Academy for Performing Arts (APA) students. A special highlight was the performance of Nicole C Mullins’ My Redeemer Lives by the Audrey Jeffers Schoold for the Deaf.
Arranged by APA student Aidan Chamberlain and backed up by the UTT Ensemble, the students transformed sign language into body art as they gracefully gesticulated and expressively performed the popular gospel song without a word. Although an APA student sang during the presentation, it marvelled spectators that the deaf students were able to keep sign language in time with the song. Another fascinating performance came from students of the the Santa Cruz School for the Blind, who thrilled the audience as they played and sang APA student Neval Chatelal’s uplifting song, Wonders of this World. It was indeed a performance which the late R&B legend Ray Charles could be proud of.
It was just like president of CODO Sharda Ramlakhan said to students as she opened the festival: “It is one of the most fun things to do at the consortium. It provides space for you to shine and this is your space. “This was done just for you to come on stage to shine and to let everyone see all talents.” And so they did. With smiles stretching from ear to ear, the students of the Lady Hochoy Home in Gasparillo infected the audience with joy while rendering an upbeat version of the English war song, Tenth of September. While 15 schools entertained the audience, no one was prepared for the riveting finale dished out by the students of Goodwill Industries West Indies, who gave an exciting drumology arranged by APA student-teaching artists Sheena Richardson and Nikola Abrams-Sampson. Spectators were brought to their feet as the African drums evoked that tribal spirit of dance. The students played with great timing and variation that many folk performers around the country would dare to rival.