CATEGORY:CULTURE
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By Trevor Thwaites
Inside Grenada correspondent
Friday November 10.2006


ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - The Department of Culture says that it is placing more emphasis on the promotion and development of culture, in an attempt to create more opportunities for students to grow and mature as well-rounded citizens. “It is the mandate of department to nature the talent of our people. We will be working to develop the Drum Corp, the Dance and Music programmes in our schools and communities”, Permanent Secretary of the Department, Mrs. Arlene Buck mire- Outram, said last week Wednesday in St George’s

She was speaking at the Prize-giving ceremony of the 2006 Drum Corp Competition, which was held in March. Mrs. Outram said that more resources will be directed at enhancing the programmes to create more avenues for students. The cultural official called on students, teachers, principals and members of the various communities to participate in the programmes. She was also high in praise of the winners of the Drum Crop competition.

The event was won for the second year running by Presentation Brothers’ College (PBC). Carriacou Combined finished second, while Anglican High School placed third. PBC won the Display section and finished second in the Drum Corp Category, while Carriacou Combined won the Drum Corp Section and finished second in the Drum Corp Category. Anglican High School finished third in both categories. Chief Cultural Officer, David Edwards, said that the event was the best ever.

“I saw improvement in the quality of drumming and the intensity among the schools was great. There were plenty of innovations”, Edwards said, noting that the Tanteen Complex - the venue for the final - was overflowing with spectators. He too paid tribute to the participants for what he said was a high level of display. He said that the 2007 event will be bigger and better with the outstanding schools earmarked for bigger and more enhanced prizes.“We want to sustain the high interest and momentum”, he said.

The winning schools received attractive monetary awards compliments the sponsors – The Grenada Trade Centre, which has pledged continued sponsorship of the competition. Presentation Brothers College (PBC) picked up the overall winners prize of EC$1,000. Carriacou Combined received the Second place prize of EC$ 500, while Anglican High School was awarded with EC$300 for placing second. From all indications the incentives will be
more lucrative in 2007.