Close to two decades ago, in order to
promote the Portuguese language and culture in Goa, the Heritage Cell of the
Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim introduced a singing competition
that would eventually grow to be a marquee event in its own right. In
2001, Fundação Oriente joined
hands with them and helped the event grow into something even larger, and
rechristened it ‘Vem Cantar’. This
year will mark the the 19th edition of the Concurso da Canção Portuguesa/Portuguese Song Contest – Vem Cantar. Last year’s edition was so
large that the response included the participation of 403 musicians and
vocalists across all sections, with more than 1,500 guests in attendance.
This year will see the contest being
held in a revised format, with the individual and group sections being held as
separate competitions. The preliminary rounds have been disposed of and the
winners will be declared and prizes awarded at the end of each competition. The
contest will have four categories for individual contestants: 8 to 11 years, 12
to 15 years, 16 to 20 years and 21 years and above. In similar vein, there will
be three categories for groups: Junior – A (school level), Junior – B (higher
secondary school level) and seniors.
Speaking on what she believes will be a
change to watch out for this year, Maria Inês Figueira, the Director of Fundação Oriente, shares, “There are at
least 20 fado-based contestants
participating this year, which is why the number of contestants that have
registered is massive. I think the ‘Fado
de Goa’ project, in which Fundação
Oriente plays an active role, is responsible for this development.”
Carlos Meneses is an accompanying
musician, whose nous in the Portuguese music sphere has been well-documented,
especially when it comes to the viola
do fado, a chief part of the arrangement. This year, he will be
accompanying approximately 18 people across categories. When quizzed on what he
feels will be different this time around, he simply says “Quality! I see a huge
leap forward this year, on that front. For instance, there are young children,
in primary school, who have little to no exposure, who have impeccable
pronunciation. There is another young boy from Vasco, who is in his early
twenties, who has literally had his diction corrected via voice note, and gone
on to master what he is singing. Similarly, there are others with no background
in the language, who really want to excel, and are showing that through their
efforts. These cases will stand out and help to improve the quality of music, I
find.”
Who will be crowned champions, we will
only know at the end of the event, but that it will be hotly contested is
without doubt; and for those who are passionate about the music, this is the
best news possible.
The Individual Singing Contest will be
held at Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim on September 16, 2017, 4 pm onwards.
The Group Singing Contest will be held at DMK auditorium, Kala Academy, Panjim
