When an academy, club or an organization provides a platform to showcase talent, the golden opportunity provided will always bring out the best from the participants.
And, that’s exactly what happened when Pilar Music Academy (Pilar Fathers, Goa Province) organized its fourth edition of ‘Nightingale of Goa’ at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao recently. There were altogether thirty participants – ranging from children to seniors – all set to display their singing skills.
After staging two rounds for numerous participants across Goa, the best thirty were selected in the Child, Junior, Teenager, Youth and Senior categories for the final round to declare the winners and the runners-up.
But, the very fact that around thirty participants made it to the final round was a moment of pride not only for the participants, but the guardians as well. And, although not all could be declared winners, yet the unfortunate accepted that participation was more important than winning a prize.
WINNERS: Jensina Mikayla Pereira (Children), Ridhima Mayur Lotlikar (Junior), Chiara Miranda (Teenager), Prince Correia (Youth), Melba Dias e D’Cunha (Senior).
RUNNERS-UP: Alaina Gomes (Children), Chevonne Franchelle D’Costa (Junior), Annalee P de Menezes (Teenager), Franzy Furtado (Youth) and Joel Anthony Ribeiro (Senior).
SPECIAL AWARDS: Fr Simon Da Cunha (Lyrics) and Pio Agnelo Fernandes (Melody).
JUDGES: Roque Lazarus, Fr Jean da Cruz Fernandes and Alacoque Morenas. Fr Milton Rodrigues sfx (Lyrics) and Fr Roncy Braganza sfx (Melody). The chief guest for the day was music composer and director, Joe D’Costa, while the Provincial of Goa Province, Fr Matheus Fernandes was present on the occasion.
FINDING THE NIGHTINGALE
‘Nightingale of Goa’ came into creation in 2017, followed by two more editions in 2018 and 2019. But, on account of Covid-19, there was an abrupt halt and it could not be held for two years, namely 2020 and 2021.
Throwing light on this unique event, the director of the Pilar Music Academy, Fr Peter Cardozo mentioned that ‘Nightingale of Goa’ is totally different from all the other events happening in Goa. He went on to explain its uniqueness stating that unlike other competitions held in the state, at this event, stress is laid on originality and new compositions.
Fr Cardozo said that the event held annually has always provided a platform to all artistes, young and old, to showcase originality, talent and singing skills. “Over the past three years, the participation has been overwhelming and the thought to continue it annually followed,” he added.
When asked about the selection of participants, Fr Cardozo said, “After two auditions, the finalists are selected for the grand finale by a special jury of musicians. The finalists are given rehearsals with the full band so that they win confidence on the final day.”
When singing can be rendered in different categories, namely solo, duo, duet, trio, quartet and choral, Fr Cardozo stressed the need to focus more and only on solo singing. “When it comes to solo singing, various aspects of singing such as quality of voice, clarity, voice modulation can be tracked easily, unlike when singing in a group.
ABOUT PILAR MUSIC SCHOOL
The Pilar Fathers have music schools at four different places in Goa, namely Pilar, Porvorim, Margao and Sanguem. “The purpose of opening schools is to help children, teenagers and youth to come and learn music and become good, future musicians,” explains Fr Cardozo.
“Those who have a voice to sing,” the director of the academy insists, “should learn solfeggio and any instrument which will enhance their singing ability. And, there is no age bar to learn music. If you have a ear for music, then the learning process becomes much easier.”
Apart from ‘solfeggio’ and vocals, the instruments taught at all the music schools include guitar, violin, keyboard and drums. At Sanguem and Pilar, there are special tutors to teach wind instruments, which include saxophone and trumpet.
The students are also trained to appear for the Trinity College of Music (London) examinations in all subjects and in different grades. The tutors at the music schools are well qualified, with vast experience under their sleeves.