St. Patricks Missionary Society Kiltegan Co. Wicklow, Work for Justice, Working for Human Rights, Lay Missionary Work, Ending Economic Slavery, Becoming a missionary

"As soon as people hear Caribbean music, they recognise the rhythm and you just have to move it." Rhythm and dance are an important part of the music of Grenada, according to Lauren Ramdhanny, who is musical director of Spice Island Youthquake. "We began as a Church Choir, and now we have become one of the most popular groups in Grenada. We choreograph a lot of our own songs and mith the costumes and music, it makes it all very unique."

Junior Bartholomew is nineteen, and has been a musician since he was eight. He began with the recorder and in secondary school took up the trumpet. "I love the pan and the music it gives," he says. "The pan is a Caribbean instrument like a steel drum. It is difficult to learn at first, you have to get the wrist flexible. I can play calypso but I am not so good at playing the fast tunes. I love West Indian music a lot but myfavourite music is jazz."

Two members of Spice Island Youthquake rehearse a dance routine

Spice Island Youthquake began as asmall choir in the parish of Gouyave where Fr. Oliver Leavy from Kinnegad in Co. Westmeath worked as parish priest. He continues the story, "A friend of mine was out visiting from Ireland. He heard the choir during Mass one Sunday and was very impressed. He thought that more people should hear their music. We decided to put a show together that we could bring on tour, and it just snowballed from there. At this stage we have toured the States three times, Canada once and Britain and Ireland three times."

Oliver loves working with young people because of their energy and life.

Capital	St. Georges
Currency	East
Size	344 sq. kms
Population	90,000

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St. Patrick's Missionary Society - Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow Tel: 059 6473600 Fax: 059 6473622 Email: spsgen@iol.ie