LA PETITE MUSICALE
- OLIVE WALKE
Trinidad Guardian
January 1, 2000
Page 13
Olive Walke was well known in many parts of the country as the
founder of the La Petite Musicale.
Through the many concerts and radio presentations, the group made folk
songs like "Mangoes" and "Eorn" in 1911. Olive Walke distinguished herself as a
musician, composer, folk-singer and folklorist. She was one of the first to research the folk music of Trinidad
and Tobago, and the wider Caribbean.
Through her devotion to musical studies, she obtained diplomas from the
Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College, both in London.
World
War II interrupted her studies, forcing her to return home. This, however, proved to be beneficial to
Trinidad, (which at that time included Tobago as a ward), as her musical
research and ventures into folk singing impacted greatly on the culture of
Trinidad and Tobago.
In
1940, shortly after she returned to Trinidad, she formed the La Petite Musicale
Chorale by persuading some of the best-known singers in the country to join the
group.
Her
choir had a great influence on chorale singing in general, and it was her work
with the group, which inspired her many compositions, including
"Mangoes" and "Every Time Ah Pass."
This
remarkable daughter of the soil also published a collection of songs entitled Folk
Songs of Trinidad and Tobago.
She
was appointed a Senator in 1961 and continued to serve in that post until 1966.
She
received an award in the first National Awards Ceremony. However, she was seriously ill a few months
before the award ceremony, and passed away a few days afterwards, at the age of
58.