by JOHN SEALY

THE MEDALS HAVE BEEN awarded and the cheers might still be ringing in the ears of those participants who made it successfully through to this year's Cable & Wireless Performing Arts Finals.

But there is another landmark that all National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) entrants dream of reaching, that is being part of the elite that makes it to the annual Gala held at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.

And based on the National Cultural Foundation's (NCF) advertised list of acts down for tomorrow's event which starts at 6 p.m., patrons are in for a terrific show.

The level of talent among the youth of Barbados was quite evident since the NIFCA semi-finals got off at Princess Margaret School in early October. And it was no surprise the Christ Church Foundation Choir has been rewarded with a Gala appearance.

Impressive

Back then it was reported: "Transcendent is the only way to describe the performance of the Foundation School Choir. Director Lowrey Worrell and his charges were on the same page "soaring to spiritual heights" with "soothing harmonies" in Bless The Lord and My Life, My Love, My All causing emcee Wayne Kool Simmons to say in true Bajan parlance, "Duh bles' muh heart, doh".

While the youngsters met the expectations at the finals at Frank Collymore, one disappointment was the decision to wear black. The reason became evident in the second rendition as it was sung in total darkness to emphasise the glow-in-the-dark gloves used for sign language.

But the sign patterns were not in sync and were more of a distraction to the beautiful expression and voices presented in the Princess Margaret School experience. The Gala tomorrow should give the director an opportunity to experiment within reason.

Clarinettists Reynold Price and Anthony Hood represent a level of talent that transcends NIFCA.

Throughout the festival they both displayed a high level of musical savvy and synergy and were seamless in their execution. Highly-skilled youngsters, they are not afraid to explore the complete dynamic range of their instruments.

Broderic Goodfellow is another for the future and higher recognition. Not new to performing, as his name was in the media five years ago, the now 16-year-old student of the St James secondary has grown in confidence and knowledge of the violin.

Not having seen his performance at the Frank Collymore Finals, however, one would have to wait and see if his form in the semi-finals when he captured the hearts of the appreciative audience with a spectacular interpretation of Bésame Mucho (Kiss Me A Lot) and Air On The G String is sustained.

Adrian Green, a spoken word poet, is another dynamic performer who will be gracing the Gala stage. Unassuming and unyielding, Green does not mince words as he shoots lyrical arrows at "the hypocrites and parasites" whose main focus is to satisfy their lusts at the expense of the disadvantaged.

Young Rickardo Reid is another bag of fun. Not having seen his performance, reports speak of the audiences being won over and that "he received a standing ovation".

Nineteen acts are down to appear representing the categories of dance, music, and drama/speech. The gym awaits.