Bayelsa State, Nigeria - The Bayelsa State Junior Steelpan Orchestra (BSJSO) was featured in the opening ceremony—which took the form of a dinner party—of the recently-held 2013 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant. For that July 7th opening event at Matho Crystal Hotel in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria - the orchestra served up a musical menu which showcased Duncan Mighty’s Port Harcourt Boi, Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s classic Unqombothi, and Africa by Salif Keita. BSJSO also performed at the opening and closing of the July 20th pageant finale and included Barrister Cynthia, one of the state’s folk songs, in their set.
Bayelsa State Junior Steel Orchestra performs
The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant is hosted annually by the Silverbird Group, with winners moving on as Nigeria’s representatives at international beauty competitions. Thirty-four beautiful and elegant contestants from different states in the country contested the coveted crown in the 26th edition of the competition. This year it was the turn of Bayelsa State to host the pageant which was televised live and held at Dafet Hall, Government House, in Yenagoa.
Eighteen-year-old Anna Ebiere Banner from Bayelsa State emerged as 2013’s Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria and is expected to participate on the country’s behalf in the Miss World 2013 competition in Jakarta, Indonesia. First runner-up, 19-year-old Stephanie Okwu of Imo State will represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe 2013 competition taking place in Moscow, Russia, while Powede Lawrence, 20, from Adamawa State, will represent Nigeria at Miss Tourism 2013.
The Bayelsa State Junior Steelpan Orchestra boasts a membership of fifteen between the ages of 13 and 16, including four young ladies; all the players were attractively attired in Bayelsa State’s traditional dress for their appearance at the opening ceremony. Their enthusiastic performances amazed the audience, and the young talented panists were the center of attraction as they played familiar Nigerian and African music on Trinidad & Tobago’s national instrument.
Bayelsa State Junior Steel Orchestra performs, attired in the
State’s traditional dress at the opening
ceremony
The BSJSO is just a few months old but has already featured greatly in events in Bayelsa State. The orchestra is currently preparing for its first international performance, where it will be representing Nigeria at the International Marimba and Steelpan Festival 2013 organized by Education Africa, taking place in South Africa between August 3rd and 4th.
A project of the Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency, BSJSO is presently trained by interim music director, ATTSDC’s (Africa Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan Development Company, Ltd.) CEO Chief Bowie Sonnei Bowei. The ATTSDC is based in Nigeria.
Bayelsa State Junior Steel Orchestra performs
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