National Chorale of Jamaica celebrates 50 years
An impressive calendar of events has been unfolded by the National Chorale of Jamaica under the patronage of Sir Kenneth Hall, former governor general of Jamaica, to mark the golden anniversary of the choir, which has been presenting excellence in music since 1972.
The year-long celebration will commence with a thanksgiving service at the historic St Andrew Parish Church in Half-Way Tree on Sunday, April 24, at 10:30 a.m.
This significant milestone in the lifetime of the chorale, which coincides with Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of Independence, will showcase its achievements and recognise its own heroes, through its National Award of Excellence, to persons who have made major contributions to the chorale’s development and/or Jamaicans who have distinguished themselves in the field of classical music at an international level.
Chairman Christopher Samuda noted, “The chorale will be using this opportune time in its existence to rebrand and remain relevant by introducing generational succession through the recruitment of exceptional voices and the somewhat modernisation of its musical presentations.”
Musical Director and conductor Winston Ewart shared that the chorale was the brainchild of the late Geoffrey Fairweather and his then wife Jean, who invited him, along with other like-minded persons, to start this musical movement. “The gathering consisted of some of the finest voices of soprano, alto, tenor and bass who performed with the group for many years. Our anniversary will be somewhat like a grand reunion, as past members have been invited to perform for the celebration.”
HIGHLIGHT
A highlight of the anniversary was the recent performance by the chorale at the Kingston Parish Church of the famous Final Chorus from the oratorio Jonah, composed by Samuel Felsted, Jamaica’s first documented composer.
The piece featured soprano Christine McDonald and tenor John McFarlane, accompanied by the organist Dwight McBean. The performance was a part of a programme presented by Music Unites Jamaica Foundation, in collaboration with Austria, to commemorate the 220th anniversary of the passing of Felsted, who held the post as organist at the Kingston Parish Church from 1783 until his death in 1802.