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Tribune news network
Country singers Glen Campbell and Kenny Rogers from the 1970s and 1980s era came alive at a singing competition held at Olive International School (OIS), Nuaija branch.
Around 400 pupils from five primary classes took part in the contest 'Evergreen Melody' supervised by music teacher Sonia Prabhu.
School staff Samir Rai, Elvie Valencia, and guest judge Sudeep Sonawane, a Qatar-based senior journalist, judged the pupils. Class III-B were declared winners for performing Yellow River, the 1970's top hit recorded by British rock group Christie. Grade 1B remarkably revived the famous, Seasons in the sun by Westlife that bagged them the 1st prize.
Rivers of Babylon was melodiously sung by grade 2F which won them the first place in the category. They edged out Grade V-A students who sang Glen Campbell's famous 1975 country song Rhinestone Cowboy written by Larry Weiss.
Class IV-A students performed Kenny Rodgers's Coward of the County; Class III-C had a good stage presence while singing Tony Orlando's Knock Three Times and Class III-A sang The Mamas and Papas' California Dreamin, recorded in 1965.
OIS Principal, A J George, who himself is a music lover, complimented the efforts of teachers and students. While addressing the gathering he said"Music contributes to a child's emotional and personal development through the self-respect gained through achievement and social recognition achieved from participation."
While congratulating the winners and the judges, OIS Senior Academic Coordinator Shalini Rawat said,"Music not just develops knowledge and creativity but also empowers values of fortitude, persistence and understanding."
She appreciated the contest-organising team and thanked parent volunteer Azoba who accompanied the students on the keyboard.
Sonawane lauded the school for introducing students to rock and country songs."It is a pleasant surprise to hear children performing almost 50-year-old songs that had great lyrics and melodies unlike the Hip-Hop style of this age," he said.
Music teacher Sonia trained all the students. Later some primary school pupils presented mementos to the judges on behalf of the school management.
