Classical Harmony benefit concert to support work of Franciscan Ministries

The annual Classical Harmony Concert featuring the dynamic Immaculate Conception High School Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to take place at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston on Saturday, November 19, starting at 7:00 p.m., with cocktails at 6:00 p.m. Guest artistes will be master drummers from the Charles Town Maroon Community in Portland.

The event is being held under the distinguished patronage of William Mahfood, chairman of Wisynco Group.

This year, in particular, is very special as it will mark the 50th anniversary of Sister Grace Yap, O.S.F. As a Franciscan Sister of Allegany. Sister Grace is known for her sterling charitable work through the Franciscan Ministries, a non-profit organisation established in 1995 to serve the poor in the most depressed inner-city areas of Kingston, as well as in rural Jamaica. Sister, along with volunteers both locally and overseas, continue to provide health care, youth development, justice-building, and other outreach initiatives.

During these initiatives over the years, medical volunteers have conducted clinics in communities such as Braes River, Stony Hill, Whitfield Town, and in some instances, have performed much-needed surgeries at the Nutall and St Joseph hospitals. Their most recent initiative is an organic farm in Braes River, St Elizabeth.

While patrons will be enjoying the sweet harmonies of the Immaculate Conception High School Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of classical musician extraordinaire Steven Woodham, on concert day, they will be contributing to the work of Sister Grace on her significant milestone anniversary and on making a difference in the lives of the underserved in the society.

Tickets for Classical Harmony are available at Music Mart, South Avenue; South Avenue Pharmacy; and Loshusan Supermarket in Barbican.