Music Festival marks 80 years with 20 per cent increase in entries

The Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a significant increase in participation, as more than 1,400 entries have been received for its 36th biennial staging.

Newly appointed national executive chair Kory Mendez said the entries represented an increase of approximately 20 per cent over the previous festival, reflecting renewed interest among music teachers, directors and young performers.

Speaking at the festival’s gala opening ceremony, Mendez described the milestone as a testament to generations of achievement, sacrifice and passion, while emphasising the responsibility of preserving and strengthening an institution that has played an important role in the country’s cultural development.

He noted that the festival, which features more than 60 categories, encompasses a wide range of musical disciplines, traditions and expressions.

Mendez said the value of the festival extended beyond competition and performance, particularly in the role music played in shaping the character and development of young people.

“Through music, our young people learn discipline, patience, preparation, resilience, humility and respect,” he said.

He added that participants also learned to work independently and collaboratively, accept constructive criticism, respond to disappointment and appreciate the achievements of others.

“These are not just qualities of a musician; they are qualities of a good human being,” Mendez said.

He also highlighted the importance of the festival’s inclusion of steelpan, Caribbean folk music and other expressions of the country’s musical heritage, noting that these were not simply categories in a syllabus but reflections of the nation’s identity and cultural experience.

A festival for all

Former South/Central Regional Chair Jessel Murray used the occasion to signal his hope that the festival would eventually be hosted in Tobago, assuring Tobagonians that efforts were being made to make that a reality.

“It’s a rare occasion that we start at Naparima Bowl. One day we would like to start in Tobago. If there are any Tobagonians here, we are making a promise to you, one day it will happen,” he said.

As the festival marks eight decades, Murray also acknowledged the contribution of Naparima Bowl, describing its management as the “cultural soul of the South” and an important pillar of support for the arts.

He stressed the importance of protecting classical music and its contribution to the wider musical landscape, particularly at a time when several symphony orchestras and opera houses were facing challenges.

Murray said the role of classical music in strengthening other musical forms should not be overlooked.

He also called for greater recognition of the volunteers whose often-unseen contributions help make the festival possible, urging stakeholders to appreciate their work and build a stronger support system around the event.

The 36th Biennial Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival will continue over the coming weeks, with performances scheduled across three daily sessions at 9 am, 1 pm and 7 pm.