Nassau, The Bahamas, June 23, 2022 –Winners of the Nassau Music Society’s (NMS) trumpet competition received their prizes during an awards ceremony at Colina Insurance Limited (Colina) today.

The NMS held its first annual trumpet competition this year, which included an under 18 and an 18 to 25 division.  The competition was judged by an accomplished panel of Bahamian and international judges.

“Music in particular opens doors – the trumpet is going to take these young musicians to places they only dream of,” said Maxine V. Seymour, Director, Corporate Communications, Colina.  “They are going to be able to perform in so many arenas that ordinarily they may not have access to”.

“Colina has a legacy partnership with the Nassau Music Society,” said Seymour. “We are Bahamian and we are vested in the health, wellness and education of persons in The Bahamas, especially youth.”

“I want to say thank you to our sponsor, Colina, who made the trumpet competition possible,” said Cynthia Van Wynen, President and Executive Director, Nassau Music Society.  “They have been a fabulous supporter of the Nassau Music society for many years and this is just another way they have been able to support us and to support the arts.”

“We couldn’t [operate NMS] without the help of the community, private donations and corporate sponsorships,” noted Wynen.

Winners of the trumpet competition included Hudson Sterlin (Under 18 Audience Choice), Shaquille Butler (Under 18 Audience Choice and Overall) and Caleb Sears (Over 18 Audience Choice and Overall).

“It’s very important for young people to have something that they can be a part of, for them to be able to learn and develop,” said Seymour.  “It teaches them discipline and teaches them to use their creativity and their imagination and to be involved.”

“These young men and the other participants are all so talented; studies have proven that people who are in music do better in school,” noted Seymour.

The winners of the trumpet competition were presented with prizes which included new instruments, custom designed trumpet mouth pieces, customized Colina Skullcandy earphones and other treats.

The trumpet competition winners have big hopes for the future.  Hudson Sterlin is graduating from Bahamas Academy this year and has plans to continue playing the trumpet and pursue studies at The Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute (B.T.V.I).

Shaquille Butler is in tenth grade at C.V. Bethel Senior High School and one day intends to travel the world playing music.

Caleb Sears is a second year Music Education student at The University of The Bahamas (UB).  He currently plays on a professional level.  After completing studies at UB, he intends to teach music on the Family Islands for a few years before pursuing his Master’s Degree.

“I would like to wish these men and all the young musicians in our society well as they continue to pursue their studies and whatever their life and career goals are,” said Seymour.

“I want them to stay focused, develop themselves, keep good company and be positive because there is so much out there for them to accomplish and our country needs them to be the best that they can be so that they can add value to themselves and their family and continue to make us all proud,” concluded Seymour.

About The Nassau Music Society

The Nassau Music Society is a non-profit, charitable organization founded in 1968 by the late Clement E. Bethel a champion of the arts and an icon of Bahamian culture.  The Nassau Music Society promotes and encourages the art of music by organizing concerts and by sponsoring scholarships for students of music.

About Colina Insurance Limited (Colina)

Colina is a diversified financial services company, offering comprehensive life and health insurance solutions. Colina is wholly-owned by Colina Holdings Bahamas Limited (CHBL). CHBL is a Bahamian Company, built on a firm foundation of trust, integrity and responsibility. Colina has evolved over the past 155 years to become The Bahamas’ largest life and health insurer, with a solid reputation for providing insurance and related financial services products that help clients prepare for life’s unexpected events.