The impact of the Calypso concert
The Calypso Concert was the culmination of a 4 year, multi-nation project which saw over 300 people come together at Frank Collymore Hall to enjoy a night of musical celebration.
The Calypso Project was designed to showcase the musical talents of Deaf Barbadians and foster relationships between Deaf and hearing communities on the island. The programme featured performances of Caribbean-influenced pieces, three of which were commissioned specifically by the project and represent the lived-experience of Deaf people on the island. Music has long been used to unite, and the Calypso Project was no different. Deaf musicians performed alongside their hearing peers, giving both communities an understanding of each other. The concert featured American Sign Language (ASL) and saw the National Anthem performed in ASL for the first time.
The Bajan Hands Choir was formed specifically for the event and all involved enjoyed working with the musicians to learn the tracks in advance of the concert. For many it was the first time they had experienced playing the steel pans and certainly performing on stage. It showcased how, when supported, there are no limits to what deaf people can do.
Fostering confidence and belief in ability has always been an aim of the project. To this end it was delightful to see the faces of Deaf pupils of Irving Wilson School perform on stage in front of such a packed audience. The children were proud to showcase their talents and each received a commemorative certificate to remind them of their achievements in years to come. For many, Frank Collymore Hall was an ‘unknown’, a place that wasn’t for them, for ‘hearing people’ and what this project so brilliantly showed was that this ‘us and them’ attitude has no place in society and when communities are willing to be open and to embrace new ways of doing things that access and inclusion truly is achieved.
Employment was also a key milestone of the project and it is hoped that following the experience many of the performers will consider a career in the arts. One team member has already been offered a paid internship at a leading Bardabian media company.
The project would not have succeeded without the involvement of the Barbados Community College musicians. They were instrumental in its success and their openness and willingness to attend rehearsals, to train and encourage Deaf musicians, to perform at the concert, all demonstrated their commitment and supportive natures. At the end of the concert the musicians welcomed members of the Deaf community on stage to perform ‘Come down to Barbados’ which shows that anything is possible when opportunities are given.
The night was a huge success and will be one that will go down in history. In his closing speech, Minister Corey Lane captured the spirit of what the concert achieved;
“It brought a sense beyond words and speeches that when we talk about being inclusive that is it no longer talk, that when we talk about being inclusive it is no longer just an ideal, when we talk about being inclusive we are talking about a reality ladies and gentlemen and the reality is here tonight and what we have witnessed tonight”
Blog post by Ruth Montgomery November 29th 2022.
