Cultural Icon Joy Caesar Dies

The country has lost another cultural icon with the passing of Joy Caesar. Joy Maria Ann Caesar made her mark on Trinidad and Tobago's musical landscape as Musical Director and Conductor of the Southernaires Choir of San Fernando for over twenty years. Under Ms. Caesar's direction, the Southernaires performed for regional and international audiences and visiting dignitaries such as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Among those paying tribute to one of the South's most revered cultural icons was Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Randall Mitchell, who noted the role Joy Caesar played in developing the cultural sector and the significant contributions she made to the fraternity as a member of various community and cultural Boards. Ms. Caesar has been distinguished with the Hummingbird Gold Medal, and in 2003, the nation's second-highest honour, The Chaconia Gold Medal, for her outstanding service to Trinidad and Tobago in the field of Music and Community Service.