Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
DEARS, IT was indeed a novel idea, as it was dee-vine! Imagine, the socially well-heeled at sixes and nines and resplendently so in the lovely gardens of Randy Mair and wife Nicola Croswell-Mair's swanky St. Andrew home, with the world famous Dr. Jean Rittenhouse and her 30-piece Junior Ensemble, in 'Command Performance', and all to the benefit of the Maxfield Park Children's Home!
Now, Dr. Jean Rittenhouse is the founder of the Symphonic Ensemble of New England which comprises three orchestras junior, intermediate and senior. They travel the world as classical music ambassadors, in an effort to spread the beauty of the music and in so doing raise funds for children's charities, under the baton of its indefatigable founder and leader, one of the leading musicologists of the United States.
RAVE REVIEWS
Dr. Rittenhouse and her ensemble are no strangers to Jamaica, having visited on several occasions to rave reviews across the island! It was with this in mind, and particularly her desire to use her music to the benefit of less fortunate children, that spawned last Tuesday's memorable performance.
Initially, the concert was to be hosted by businessman and philanthropist Charles Hanna, in the gardens of his magnificent Stony Hill residence but the passage of Hurricane Ivan, and the destruction it wreaked on his gardens, however, made this nigh unto impossible.
It being a good cause, and Mrs. Mair being a board member of and recognising the potential benefit to the Maxfield Park Children's Home, the Mairs graciously stepped in as hosts and so it was that on a balmy December night, the special guests under the auspices of Charles Hanna and Randy and Nicola Mair, gave a simply inspiring performance, to a short list of hand-picked members of snob-society, for a simply fabulous Christmas musical fare.
The ensemble comprises 39 musicians ranging from ages 11 through to 18, with a young man of Jamaican parentage being among the elite group of performers! And theirs was the arduous task of delivering a virtuoso performance, in a garden setting, on a somewhat chilly night, raising concern about the acoustics, and how this would impact on the performance!
STERLING PERFORMANCE
Concerns were quite misplaced as under the charge of Dr. Rittenhouse, the Youth Ensemble, gave a sterling performance, their repertoire, included three solos given by virtuosos on cello, violin and a rendition of Mozart's Hallelujah Chorus, performed by a young Soprano who is a student of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. The wider programme included traditional Christmas music and a feast of music from the old masters, as well as some relatively 'new' but wonderful works, that was bliss to the cultured ears!
Dears, picture an orchestra under the stars of a faultless sky, playing rapturous music, surrounded by flowering trees; a smattering of noble society, out for a twofold reason as whilst the primary reason for their attendance was the beautiful music of the New England Youth Ensemble, an equally important reason was the fact that whilst contributions were not a requirement, guests were encouraged to 'give a little something' for the benefit of the Maxfield Park Children's home. And dears, they gave a lot!
SURPRISE ARRIVAL
The was a surprise arrival by bearer of a special donation from Mr. and Mrs. Richard Issa, who, though unable to attend, made sure their generous contribution was delivered; as was the case with Michael and Phyllis Ammar; and thus setting the stage for windfall for the Home!
Those out included: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation HE Edward Malayan; Spanish Ambassador HE Rafael Jover; Hon. Maurice and Valerie Facey; Chairperson of the Maxfield Park Children's Home, Ruby Martin; Chris Bovell, and his beautiful wife Michelle, in flowing red chiffon, their son and daughter-in-law Peter and Donnia Bovell, Alex Hamilton of Caymanas Estate and Scotland; Earl and Beverly Levy and their daughter Susanne Levy-Louis; Robert MacMillan; Mike and Alma Vicens and their daughter Amber Vicens; Paul Issa and his wife Oriente Issa; Lorna Myers; Bruce and Carolyn Terrier; Janette Stewart; Capt. Mike and Thalia Lyn, as regal as ever; Felicity Croswell-Brandt; Janet Taylor; Dr. Bernard and Andrea Benjamin; Matthew and Jenny Pragnell; Vivian Crawford; Lisa Marzouca; James and Marina Gill; Alex and Susan Dougal; the Mair clan, including Craig and Judy, Ingrid and Kim, whose lovely daughter Abigail, dressed as a fairy princess, presented flowers to Dr. Rittenhouse at the end of the performance; Gene and Leslie Lee; Ella Hall-Oakley; Cedric and Kamla McDonald and their daughter Chantal McDonald; Hugh and Ouida Dunphey; Mrs. Norma Rhoden and her genius of a son Orette Rhoden, who came under the tutelage of Dr. Rittenhouse; siblings David and Mary Johns; Steven Woodham; Ridgard and Elsa Betancourt; plus a number of others.
The surprise of the evening, however, was the appearance of the sensational Sean Paul, who was a hit with members of the Youth Ensemble. They queued for his autograph and photos and it added just the right touch of drama to a fabulous evening, before guests settled in for a late traditional Christmas supper, buttressed by Middle-Eastern desserts!
