The All-India Anglo-Indian Association ushered in the Yuletide spirit with 18 city schools coming together for Jingle Bell Rockout — the association’s annual carol-singing competition — on December 3. My Kolkata was the digital media partner for the event held at The Frank Anthony Public School
Photos: Arijit SenAmong the participating schools were Julien Day School, Ganganagar; Loreto Day School, Elliot Road; Calcutta Boys School; Our Lady Queen of the Mission School and La Martiniere for Girls
The judges for the event were popular city crooners Shayne Hyrapiet (centre) and Christopher Lobo (right), along with journalist Monideepa Banerjie (left). ‘This event took me back to my school days, and forward to Christmas. The singing was perfect and very difficult to judge!’ said Banerjie
The contestants sang upbeat and mellow numbers alike, all donning their uniforms with Christmas-y accessories. ‘Frosty the Snowman’, ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’, ‘We Wish you a Merry Christmas’, ‘When a Child is Born’ and ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ brought the house down
Each school was given an option to put up a three-minute solo act in addition to their five-minute group performances. Many participating schools sang solos, which bagged them a few extra brownie points in the eyes of the judges. ‘Next time, children, every school must take part in the solo round. It’s here where you get the opportunity to shine. Don’t worry about messing it up, it’s all a part of the process,’ Hyrapiet said
The winner of the competition was Loreto Day School, Elliot Road, followed by South City International School as runner-up
Grace Ling Liang English School bagged the best solo performance with their rendition of ‘Oh Holy Night’
Judges Shayne Hyrapiet and Christopher Lobo sang Michael Jackson’s 'We are the World' as a duet, along with individual performances of two Christmas carols each
As the audience waited for the results, Shayne Hyrapiet sang ‘Bells Will Be Ringing’ with Dominic Saldanha, the winning school’s music teacher, on the keys
The organising committee of Jingle Bell Rockout. ‘I’d like to thank the All-India Anglo-Indian Association for giving us this chance to bring so many people together, of different castes and creeds, to celebrate Christmas,’ said Dennis Rozario, senior committee member of the All-India Anglo-Indian Association and event co-ordinator of Jingle Bell Rockout