BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The 2025/2026 Republic Bank Junior Calypso Monarch competition has concluded with remarkable success, generating renewed confidence in the art form’s capacity to cultivate young musical talent. The Sunday evening event (December 14) at Marriott Plaza featured fourteen aspiring calypsonians from primary and secondary schools, culminating in victories for Coryn Clarke and Edward Williams in their respective divisions.
Clement ‘Monarch’ O’Garro, Director of Carnival, expressed enthusiasm about the program’s expansion in comments to SKNVibes News. “The artform is developing at a rapid pace,” O’Garro stated, highlighting the substantial increase in participation from merely five or six contestants several years ago to nearly sixteen in recent competitions.
This growth trajectory indicates that many early participants are now preparing to advance to senior competitions as soon as next year—a development that has greatly encouraged the National Carnival Committee. Interest in Junior Calypso continues to strengthen across both St. Kitts and Nevis, reflecting the program’s broadening appeal.
Despite the competition’s success, O’Garro acknowledged ongoing challenges regarding sustained visibility for young artists beyond the Carnival season. Currently, promotional efforts predominantly focus on competition winners, leaving other talented participants with limited exposure opportunities.
“Everything involves money, and yes, it’s something that we are concerned about,” O’Garro admitted, emphasizing that this issue affects all Carnival aspects, not just Junior Calypso. He suggested the need for year-round programming rather than seasonal activities, noting that discussions with the Department of the Creative Economy are underway to explore innovative approaches for showcasing young calypsonians throughout the year.