By Tamara King, Staff Reporter
Stephen Shaw Naar, above, on the organ. At right, Paul Williams, who studied music in the United States and Russia is accompanied by Rosena Moder on the recorder. At far right: Lori Johnson deep in her perfomance at Saturday's benefit concert at the University Chapel, UWI, Mona. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
A LINE a line-up of musicians, some classically trained, turned up at the University Chapel at the University of the West Indies, Mona, St Andrew, on Sunday, November 3 to give their time and talent to a worthy cause. The event was a benefit concert for the McCam Child Development Centre, a school that caters to students with special educational needs.
The concert, which featured Paul Williamson, Della Manley and Ian Hird among others, was well-attended and offered a delightful package of wholesome and varied entertainment.
Noted tenor Paul Williamson, accompanied by Rosena Moder, who played the recorder and Stephen Shaw Naar on the organ, combined to deliver a delicious blend of instrumentals and lusty, joyous singing. They rendered a sampling from the Oratorio of Jonah, which was set to music by Jamaican Samuel Felsted in 1775.
The arias Lord I Obey and My God and King were sung with a wonderful combination of expertise and enthusiasm. The audience's appreciation was evident.
Next, the audience was treated to the skilful and effortless playing of young Stephen Naar on the piano. Naar, who is the recipient of a Prime Minister's National Youth Award for Excellence in the Arts, was totally at ease as he gracefully stroked the keys of the piano. The audience's enthusiastic applause registered their pleasure.
Lori Johnson, a Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) award winner, also added to the evening's entertainment with her melodious singing. She was accompanied by Naar on piano as she rendered Gretchen Am Spinnrade (Gretchen at the spinning wheel), a piece that was well-received. However, it was her second item, Aint That Good News, a negro spiritual that truly won the hearts of many. The folksy and upbeat nature of the song combined with the abandonment with which it was sung proved to be what was necessary to transform the remaining poker faces in the audience into broad smiles.
Paul Williamson was up next, and he fused the old and familiar folk songs with classical music. The floral bandanna that is customary for the Jamaican Folk Singers, was replaced with coat tails. Long Time Gal, Bunyan Tree and Fi Mi Love were three folk songs that added spice to the evening's entertainment.
The sounds from the guitar played by Della Manley also added to all the other instruments and she delighted with the popular City Lights.
Ian Hird, who played the saxophone and the flute with equal mastery and was accompanied by Harold Davis on piano, was outstanding. His performance earned him a standing ovation as he closed the show in fine style with My Favourite Things from the movie soundtrack The Sound of Music. He also gave the audience Jambala, Black Orpheus and a medley of folk songs.
Demonstrating the importance of the programme that McCam offers, two past students of the centre, Anton Newland and Stephen Kerr also contributed to the entertainment package. Playing the tenor pan and drums, they delivered the tantalising reggae rhythm of Junior Kelly's If Love So Nice.
Students of the centre presented the musicians with floral gifts as a show of their appreciation. Craig Young ably hosted the event.
