'There's a Song in the Air' inspires

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

For the choir known as VOICE, it was the 12th staging of their Christmas Concert. But their home base, the Temple of Light Centre for Spiritual Living, is much older.

The programme was divided into halves, with the first featuring performances from the members of VOICE, collectively and as soloists. The songs ranged from reggae to classic, all telling aspects of the story of Christmas.

Bass soloist, John Scott, who has been chosen to take over leadership of the temple in January, appropriately began the musical treat with There's a Song in the Air, the name of the event. The choir, with renowned Jamaican musicologist Noel Dexter on piano, followed with an enjoyable presentation of another classic, Peace on Earth. And they concluded their first appearance with The Light.

Member of VOICE, Clive Thompson, who is on leave of absence from the group, took time out to give a delightful performance of He is Christmas, a song made popular by Fab 5.

Dressed in full brown, Thompson moved across the slightly raised stage with great timing, holding the audience's attention for the duration of his performance.

VOICE returned for their second appearance with A.S. Klouse's My Bright Shining Star, dedicated to their "beloved Howard Daly". Then there was the most commendable performance of Go Tell it on the Mountain.

The group's second appearance gave way to the only non-vocal item on the programme, Lauren Creary's violin solo. Then it was back to another song, in the form of a beautiful and controlled performance of E. Lee's 'Jamaicanisation' of An' She Rock the Baby to Sleep, performed by Sonia Davidson.

The choir closed the first half of the concert with Just a Little Further to Go, but not before singing the traditional Spanish song Poinsettia's Gift.

At the beginning of the concert in her welcome, MC Allison Watson told the gathering that they would be treated to wonderful, joyous music that would make them want to jump out of their seats and sing. While nobody sang along or jumped out of their seats, Lisa Davis' delivery of My Grown-up Christmas List brought out the first vocal response from the very attentive congregation. The song was one of three Christmas songs in the second half.

Non-traditional half

Part two of the programme was subtitled, 'Songs from the Heart by Karel Wisdom & Friends', and made a switch to non-traditional and popular music.

It boasted love songs exploring different facets of relationships. But the segment began with the long-locks-sporting Karel Wisdom and three of his male friends singing Silent Night in a capella.

Wisdom remained to deliver a wonderful interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Ribbon in the Sky. Subsequently he gave well of himself with his favourite artiste, Michael Jackson's Human Nature, and another from Stevie Wonder, Over Joy, Over Love.

The vocalist, who has toured with the likes of Shaggy, Ernie Smith and Tarrus Riley, concluded his stint by joining force with April McIntosh for The Prayer.

Later, it was the combined force of Wisdom and VOICE singing O Holy Night that would draw the curtains on 'There's a Song in the Air'.

The Temple of Light Spiritual Centre was founded by a former nurse, Dr Elma Lumsden, more than 30 years ago, and is located on Fairway Avenue, Kingston 10. Its philosophy is, "As you think so you experience; to think is to learn how to live," said the 86-year-old (she doesn't look it) Lumsden, who will retire on January 6, 2011.