The event was described as ‘historic.’
On July 1, at the opening ceremony of the Thirty-Fifth meeting of the Caribbean Community Conference of Heads of Government in Antigua, the new CARICOM song was launched amid high praises.
The song, Celebrating CARICOM, was written and produced by Dominica’s own, Michele Henderson, in collaboration with her husband Roland Delsol Jnr. as well as her band and other music colleagues on the island.
It was launched during a rousing performance by Henderson, supported by dancers from the National Dance Theatre of Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to CARICOM, Clarence Henry, expressed delight at the song saying, “the Caribbean Community finally has an anthem”. He said he was happy about the selection and wanted to get out of his seat to dance during Henderson’s performance.
Following the performance, which had everyone singing and dancing in their seats, Henderson was presented with a cash prize of US $10,000 and a plaque by Secretary General of CARICOM, Irwin LaRocque.
The Dominican performer said she had always wanted to make a significant contribution to regional integration as well as to the history of the Community and this opportunity had given her the medium to do exactly that.
The song will be used at all ceremonial and CARICOM events.
It was selected after three rounds from 60 entries from across all CARICOM member states.
The Thirty-fifth meeting of the Caribbean Community Conference of Heads of Government will conclude on Friday July 4, 2014.
Listen to the song below.
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Congratulations to a beautiful, talented and deserving lady!
Sorry to say this but everyone is entitled to their opinion and here is mines………i am not impressed by the song.she has a lovely voice but all i could hear when it was being played was the lion king theme song.only thing i got my attention was the steel pan.the music was at the same level with her voice.im no musician but the background was over shadowing her voice.all in all it is a great compilation but no origanality…..pure LION KING
Congratulations sweetie
Congratulations
Great composition and you take me back to MIZIK A NOU. congratulations MH I love this one and you continue to make every Dominican proud as you take on the challenges in the career that you have chosen. Love.
Magnificently done.Wow . rhythm come farward .Nuff love and respect to you ,and your team,wishing all the very best.Nice one….
Wicked!!! I get goose bumps we. Love the patio and the drums, beautiful. Salute, congrats my dear.
proppppppeeeerrrrrr.
Tears…Proud of you…daughter of the soil…the sky’s the limit Michel!
Thanks Michelle, for continuing to break down the barriers that have suppressed talents like that of Lambert Henderson, Boniface Xavier and many others from Sout’. In the true spirit of Tradibelle, Chubby and Impulse, we shall rise and conquer.
Congratulations.
You have made us proud as a Dominican. Keep pushing.
Goose bumps lovely voice
Finally out! Great stuff, couldn’t wait to hear it.
very good, Michele. Very good
Uplifting! Unifying! Something we all need in the Region – Well done Michele for making Dominica and the Region proud!
I concur! Well done, Michele. I especially appreciate the different cultural aspects of the region you incorporated in the song and the transition that introduces them and the use of harmonious voices
Go girl Go girl Go girl
EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT!!! Totally deserved, couldn’t happen to a nicer humble person. You are an AMAZING talented, versatile artist. The world is your oyster. Love the song & the lyrics. I wish I was there to see history in the making…WELL DONE!!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! Congrats Michele.. One Caribbean-One People
Thats two Dominicans in the picture for those that dont know.
Congrats Michelle on your achievements and making Dominicans proud. We will continue to support you well done.
Goosebumps just listening! So proud!
Just what we expected and more!!! Great job and with gods blessings we know there is a lot more to come from you. Keep on expressing in song.
Keep it steady, cause you are there!
CONGRATULATIONS to you MICHELE HENDERSON !!!
The lyrics, the melody, the harmonious voices, the captivating rhythm and instruments (Steelpan too) does capture the spirit of Caribbean integration that we strive to attain in its fullness.
She also uses the moment to extol our culture through the National dress: WOB DWIYET.
Bravo to you. FANTASTIC. I pray more success for you, your husband and family, your team and Dominica.
And indeed she’s the best in the region. Congratulations for a superb composition for the occasion.
Michele Henderson, time and time again, you have demonstrated that you stand above the rest. We know your dad Lambert Henderson smiles as he rest in peace. And we the people of Grand Bay and Dominica are proud of your achievements.
Thank you for a job well done, may the Almighty father continues to bless guide and protect you.
Well done Mrs. Delsol…I enjoyed your performance fully at the opening ceremony…you are a true STAR….CONGRATULATIONS!
congrats again lady
Michele, as your former Biology Lecturer, everyday you make me feel so proud. I always knew the sky was your limit but your achievements so far has gone beyond my wild imaginations. This Caricom takes the cake. Big things is going to happen for you as a result.
Keep working hard and keep pushing for excellence and most of all keep that humility which defines you.
The musical arrangement is dope!
Who made you an expert,stop being so biased.
That’s our problem…….
Unless we add negative vibes some of us do not feel good.
This is one of the proudest moments for the singer, composer, musicians, Dominicans worldwide and Dominica on a whole.
STOP THAT NEGATIVITY FOR DEVELOPMENT SAKE.
I hope whenever the West Indies cricket team, in particular, is performing all over the world, this song will be played. There are no reasons to play the song composed and sang by the Trinidad calyponian.
perhaps its because the Rudder tune is actually about cricket and its legends?? i am just taking a wild guess here.
I love to see that. From one Grandbay girl to another I salute u .I am proud. Accomplisments for self, for community, for country and for caricom as a unit.Dont ever stop!mwaaaaa