News Releases

The UWI’s DCFA Presents Carmina Burana

For Release Upon Receipt - March 29, 2018

St. Augustine


The Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA) of The University of the West Indies proudly presents a complete performance of Carl Orff’s towering choral masterwork 'Carmina Burana' at The Lord Kitchener Auditorium, National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) on Sunday 8th April, 2018 at 6:30pm.  This performance is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Anne Osborne – the seminal lecturer and coordinator of the Music Unit of the DCFA. Senior Lecturer and Head of the DCFA, Jessel Murray, will conduct the combined forces of the UWI Arts Chorale, UWI Arts Percussion, UWI Arts Steel, vocal soloists and special guest – UWI Arts Dance Ensemble. Dr. Jeannine Remy will also conduct the UWI Arts Percussion in separate works for percussion while Khion De las will lead the UWI Arts Steel.

Composed in the years 1935 to 1936 by Carl Off, 'Carmina Burana' is one of the most well-regarded and popular choral works in existence and many times is performed as full-length ballet. Dr. Sally Crawford-Shepherd, Lecturer in Dance at the DCFA will choreograph excerpts.  The text of the work, a mixture of Latin and German, is a series of twenty-four poems which celebrates life and love and provides a satirical look at the follies of humankind. Orff set each of the vocal solos in the extremes of their respective ranges. Nationally known soprano Natalia Dopwell performs with the ensembles as well as Kyle Richardson, tenor and Marlon De Bique and Krisson Joseph, baritones.

In the last few years, the UWI Arts Chorale has gained a large following in Trinidad and Tobago with their eagerly awaited premieres of choral works. Among the many masterworks, the ensemble has presented  Bernstein’s ‘Chichester Psalms’ with orchestral accompaniment (2009), the national premiere of  Benjamin Britten’s classic work ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ with harp accompaniment (2010) and the Mozart ‘Requiem’ (2016). The Arts UWI Steel won first place in the World Steelband Festival in 2003 (small ensemble). Subsequently, the ensemble has collaborated with Ray Holman in the production of his popular CD ‘Changing Time' and has performed with soloists such as concert pianist Ray Luck and has been the first choice of composers for experimental steelband music. Under the joint guidance of Jessel Murray and Khion De Las, the Chorale and Steel have completed tours to Massachusetts, New York and Barbados and most recently to Belize and Mexico.

The UWI Arts Percussion Ensemble was started in 2003 by Dr. Jeannine Remy and has grown into two groups: the junior and senior percussion ensembles.  Currently in their 15th year of existence, this ensemble is the first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago.  The percussion ensemble has performed as part of the 'Rainmakers' at the Percussive Arts International Convention in 2008 in Austin, TX and has produced a CD.  Dr. Jeannine Remy is a Senior Lecturer in Music at the DCFA.

This joint production of 'Carmina Burana' promises to be an exhilarating experience for the audience. Tickets are $150.00 and are available at the Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA) at Cheesman Avenue, members of participating ensembles and the NAPA box office. For more information, call 272-DCFA (3232) or email uwi.arts.chorale@gmail.com or uwi.arts.steel@gmail.com.

 

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About The UWI

Since its inception in 1948, The University of the West Indies (UWI) has evolved from a fledgling college in Jamaica with 33 students to a full-fledged, regional University with well over 40,000 students. Today, The UWI is the largest, most longstanding higher education provider in the Commonwealth Caribbean, with four campuses in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Open Campus. The UWI has faculty and students from more than 40 countries and collaborative links with 160 universities globally; it offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Food & Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities & Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences and Sport. The UWI’s seven priority focal areas are linked closely to the priorities identified by CARICOM and take into account such over-arching areas of concern to the region as environmental issues, health and wellness, gender equity and the critical importance of innovation. Website: www.uwi.edu

 

(Please note that the proper name of the university is The University of the West Indies, inclusive of the “The”, hence The UWI.)

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