Calypso Songs for 2014

Some of our songs for our upcoming Calypso / Soca Show 2014

Le We Go An Party by Jeremiah



Look At Da Man by Juan



Respect by Tarick AKA TA

GISS Calypso Show

At Gros Islet Secondary School, Mr C.Y. Jeon created a structure where we prepare our students a term before national competition. This model is all about creating or hosting our own events that is similar to the national event a term before. Other schools have been encouraged to follow this model.

National Calypso Competition is in term 3 which means our own school calypso show is on term 2. This time around, social studies department headed by Ms Alexander is working together with us to make this event happen. So far we have 5 calypsos and 1 power soca almost complete. We are working on 1 more power soca and 2 groovy soca. Be prepared as we are about to make you cry, laugh and challenge your thinking with our sweet melodies and strong lyrics.

Gros Islet Secondary ON Fire

Gros Islet Secondary School is becoming the talk of the town. We have made it to finals in every music competition so far this year and our performances is being described as unique, different and extraordinary by many. 

 

Finals of National solo competition took place Tuesday 26th February 2014. This year's theme was to sing songs from 80 / 90s. Whitney Abisque, one of our choir member represented the school in this year's solo competition. For reminder, she placed 2nd in our G factor.

Whitney sang "I have nothing" by Whitney Houston and oh boy, she silenced the critique with her complete performance. As one of students from other school said, "I felt as if I was dreaming".

Congratulations to Whitney for all the hard work and efforts she put towards this competition.

 

Our music groups are active and already performed at various functions this term, we welcome the new group "marching band" to the music department. Therefore we now have 6 groups for students to join; choir, live band, steel pan, orchestra, singers and marching band.

 

Whitney Abisique received a trophy for placing second. Again congratulations to Whitney. Pictures coming soon

Congratulations to Sharks House

Congratulations to our shark house for winning this years sports. Music and Sports go hand in hand and we all witnessed in our sports meet. Bravo to our marching band for staying late hours after school to prepare for sports meet as well as independence rally. Pictures coming soon.

Happy Independence

As part of celebrating 35th independence of St. Lucia, our music department played a crucial part in both District rally and school rally. Job well done to our choir, band, orchestra, sound engineers, steel pan and our first Marching Band. The events were very harmonious and entertaining. Pictures coming soon.

Bravo Gros Islet Secondary School Choir

Congratulations to our hard working choir members. We placed 4th during our second year of participating which is way surpass our initial objective - to make it to finals. You deserve a good rest now. There has been significant increase in our quality compared to last year. There are a lot of potential within us and can not wait for us to maximize our potential. So let us make it happen and continue our practice throughout the year. 

I also want to recognise Mr CY Jeon and C Francis for the arrangement of the songs and working with the choir. It was not easy working and conduct choir during break, lunch, after school and even when we are home. It was well worth it as our school received the best arrangement award. 

We are the CHAMPION in progress. Students learned so much a part from singing. During our rehearsals we faced many challenges but at the end none of the members gave up. We learned few important life lessons such as team work, helping each other, discipline, commitment and dedication which is why we are true champions. Thank you choir members, parents who supported the students, principal and vice principal who passed during couple of our rehearsals for moral support and teachers it was easy for me to teach the choir members about team work because we are a great team. Thank you everybody and be prepared for next year.

Choir Semi final song track

Please listen to the track and sing along. you can download the track as well. Let make it happen.

Pre G Factor Message

As we are getting ready to witness the best show in the history of Gros Islet Secondary School, I would like to say to the participants that remember the tips and advice from masterclasses and rehearsals, be confident and proud that people are paying $5 to see you perform. Give them your best shot. Enjoy your performance. Balance your time properly so that you can win G factor and pass all your exams. You reached this far and we are very happy with your progress, Job Well Done.

Who will be the next G Factor!?!

Congratulations to the Choir

Our choir participated in the National Choir Competition and made it to the Semi finals. Semi finals will take place in January. Our choir performed "Rock Away" by Beres Hammond. Bass and tenor singing main melody through out the song. Sopranos and altos on background vocals during verse and 3 part harmonies during choruses. Then we end with an a capella of the last chorus. There were total silence for few seconds then everybody started to scream. They did very well and all the sacrifices and hard work paid off. Now they are getting ready for Christmas Community Outreach Tour. After the performance, we were approached by the police not to arrest us for singing so good but to ask us to perform for one the event they are planning to celebrate "universal child day". We also received complements from Mr Jason Joseph saying that this was the first time he heard the choir sang with such confidence. Bravo to all the members of the choir.

Master class with TC Brown

As the week comes to an end, we invited TC Brown to host our master class session on Friday 15th November. Mr Brown gave students some solid knowledge of whole aspect of a performer. His main message was PREPARATION. Preparing everything from the hair style to the color of your socks. Planning every movement and practising. Message which my students really needed. Thanks to Mr Brown for interactive informative session. He even performed for our students and gave them alot of tips. Our principal, a huge fan of TC Brown took special time to join us in our master class. I would like to take this moment to recognise and say a special thank you to the principal Mrs Charles who supported and is still supporting music program at the school. I know music has changed many students' lives and is and will change many more, all this because of the support of our principal. 7 more days before the final round of G factor, the competition is tough as everybody is raising their quality at practice. 

Master Class with Boo Hinkson

Another Master class session was hosted on 14th November. This time it was Ronald Boo Hinkson. Mr Hinkson is known as a legend in St. Lucia for all he has achieved through music. It was really touching. First thing Mr Hinkson mentioned when he arrived. "Opportunities are there in music. Society looks at music as something that has no future as they put more value towards business, science, etc. but I did music. I had a job but I quit because that's not what I wanted to do. Music is what I wanted to do. I drive Mercedes Benz, I have my house on most expensive place in St. Lucia, I have travelled all over the world. I just came from white house. and ALL OF THIS WAS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I CHOSE MUSIC." These words really reached my heart. To this I want to say to my students, don't give up. you might not see the benefit of your actions now, there will be tough times but don't give up. If you feel the passion to the depth of your heart, don't stop, don't give up. One day you will reach that place. Mr Hinkson was passionate from the beginning to the end. Students had a blast as they conversed with Mr Boo. Again Thank you Mr Hinkson for your time and this session. Pictures coming soon

Master Class with Shayne Ross

In celebrating music month, we invited best musicians across St. Lucia to host a master class with G factor finalists and other music groups. This day, 13th November, we have Shayne Ross teaching our students. This session was very interactive and informative. Shayne Ross showed various vocal techniques and ways to interact with the audience. Shayne Ross was so impressed with our students that he wants to invite us to his radio talk show. Bravo to Shayne, he was very passionate. Passionate about music, passionate about his job, passionate about performance. I am sure that students have realized that passion makes a huge difference in performances and the whole attitude. It was a worthwhile session and the experience and information shared were priceless. Students sure took alot home. It was also amazing that Shayne Ross also gave my students a ride to town. It will be a talk of the month. Pictures coming soon

Highest mark from district 1 choir assessment team

On 6th of November, District 1, in preparation for choir competition which is scheduled to take place on 12th of November, Team of teachers known for their excellence in the subject area of music was formed to assess and help all of the schools in District 1. The members of the team are Mr E. John (DEO), Mrs A. Biroo (Babonneau Primary), Mr C.Y. Jeon (Gros Islet Secondary) and Mr A. Alexander (Babonneau Secondary). Main objective of this exercise is to ensure all schools from district 1 participate in national music event such as choir competition and help school who need help or assistance with their choir. There were many impressive performances namely Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary School, Boguis Primary School, Babonneau Primary, Babonneau Secondary and Gros Islet Secondary School. Overall our school received the highest marking and non stop praise. I would like to take this time to tell my choir members that this does not mean we can ease on the practice and relax. It is important to get good feedback but even more important to keep up the good work. So congrats to all the members and teacher who assisted the choir and let go right to finals and bring home the trophy.

Master class with Teddyson John

Students of Gros Islet Secondary School are again fortunate to witness some amazing in their life. Apart from free classes with Iconic St. Lucian performers like Mr Gregory Piper, they were in a master class conducted by one of the best performer / singer / artist / musician / however you want to describe him... Teddyson John. Today, Teddyson John had one on one, experience sharing, tough love tutoring with our G Factor finalists namely, Mathias Henry, Whitney Abisique, Jeremiah Hoyte, Jermima Mathurin, Preshalla Cammey and Noah Avril. The session was very informative and to the point which Teddyson John identified and addressed some of the key weaknesses in the performances. To this I am expecting a quality show which no other secondary school have demonstrated thus far. I would like to thank Teddyson John for his willingness to assist in youth, passion, informative and interactive session with our students. pictures coming soon.

Performance Workshop for G factor semi finalist

Here are some photos of performance workshop held by Ms Nakita John for our G Factor Finalists.

G factor first round review

On Friday 20th September 2013, we successfully hosted our annual trade mark "G Factor". The competition demonstrated passion, dedication and discipline participants developed through the first month of this academic year. There was a definite team spirit and support amongst participants, teachers and most importantly the students. This marks music department's effort to produce 2 of its truly 100% Gros Islet Secondary School Product; the legendary music room and one if a kind G Factor. This round, there were 16 participants. All gave their best but only 12 could advance to next round. It was a real tough decision for judges due to extreme performance displayed by students who usually perform well and others who just come out and surprise everyone. Job well done to all students who took part and round of applause to our students who witnessed this history in making for being an awesome audience. The list of students who made it to next round will be posted soon, for now enough talking. Have a look at some of our photos. Special thanks to our professional photographer,  Mr Dorville.

 

 

   

 

Lunch time! Show time!!

On Friday 13th September 2013, the black friday... Music department held first ever Lunch time! Show time!! This is a lunch time event where students of music department get a chance to perform their practiced pieces for rest of the school to hear. It will be held at least once a month during lunch time. This time performances were held by GISS choir and few of our trade mark G Factor contestants, namely Mathias Henry, Noah Avril and Merkella Edward. Songs performed are "One more song", "Locked out of heaven", "Grenade" and "Fireworks". It was a success and the crowd enjoyed the show very much. Rest of the afternoon was calmed by songs from our guests who will be coming to the school to have master classes and interviews, namely Warner Semi Francis, Ronald Boo Hinkson and Shayne Ross.

Choir singing "One More Song"

Mathias singing "Locked out of heaven"

Noah doing "Grenade"

Merkella with "Fireworks"

Estephane

One of well known St Lucian folk song "Estephane" performed live by St Lucia School Of Music at Gros Islet Secondary School

School of Music Tour

St. Lucia School of Music is on Tour to showcase the youngster and to recruit new talented students at various schools. Today the tour was held at our own Gros Islet Secondary School drum roll ...... Canteen Gazebo!~~~ I know. Anyways here are some photos, students I would like to take this opportunities to say that while I support school of music and any other institutions providing music lessons, these lessons are offered FREE at the school. It was amazing to know that some students signing up and taking applications to pay for these classes and there are FREE classes offered at the school. WOW.