The Cayman Islands Folk Singers has its eyes on the future as it seeks to expand the dedicated group and expose others to the joy of telling stories through songs, following auditions held this month.
“The purpose of the auditions was to attract new talent, include a mixture of ages, teach folk songs to others and preserve our culture,” Cayman Islands Folk Singers Manager Ventisha Conolly told the Cayman Compass.
Conolly confirmed three people tried out at the auditions held on 15 July and will undergo a six-month familiarisation into the group. The expansion will afford the group to “participate in more events, host concerts and make ourselves available to perform in schools and the community on a whole,” Conolly said.
For 14 years, the group of more than 20 amateur singers and musicians has entertained local, regional and international audiences with Caymanian folk stories and songs at various events and concerts with its repertoire of Caymanian favourites including, ‘Munzie Boat’, ‘Chip Up Potato’ and the songs of ‘Aunt’ Julia Hydes, as well as popular folk songs from neighbouring islands.
They have recorded an album entitled, ‘Come Back Home’. They celebrated their 14th anniversary in October 2023 with a two-night concert, ‘Under the Breadfruit Tree’.
The Folk Singers fall under the remit of the Ministry of Heritage with its core purpose to “Preserve our Past, Strengthen our Future” by bringing awareness and preservation of culture and heritage.
Conolly said each song tells a story and memory of our past.
“The preservation and awareness of our folk songs are equally as important as our artefacts, history sites, and national symbols. These songs created in both trying and celebratory times reflects our people and their voice,” she said.
‘The more, the merrier’
In addition to attracting new talent, Conolly confirmed plans to establish a Youth Folk Singing Group and “encourage existing folks singers to write new songs that will one day, in years to come, be an old traditional folk song that will join the current song list”.
In addition, plans are in place to create videos and documentaries to reach a larger audience and teach songs.
Conolly said the goal is also to incorporate more musicians.
“The use of the drums, grater, fiddle, banjo, guitar, and shakers were often used years ago in our traditional songs. We want to continue to highlight these instruments as a part of our traditional folk music. These instruments, in addition to the vocalists, make our performances livelier and entertaining,” she added.
For any country, Conolly said, the most important and valuable thing is to protect and preserve its culture and heritage.
“As a people, we must know our past, [pass] it down from generation to generation and be proud of it.”
Anyone interested in joining the group should email [email protected].
Additional reporting by Compass intern Henri Morineau.
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