May - June 2008

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Caribbean Harmony

The University Singers excel on stage and in the classroom

Trinidadians were smiling. The two truly Caribbean institutions were doing the region proud. In Woodbrook, at the Queen’s Park Oval the West Indies Cricket Team was back to its winning ways and in St. Ann’s it was The University of the West Indies in the limelight. The University Singers of the Mona Campus, Jamaica, were celebrating their 50th Anniversary with a Caribbean Tour and Trinidad was the last stop.

The visit of the University Singers was truly memorable. Under the direction of Mr. Noel Dexter they would give two sparkling performances at the Queen’s Hall on the 10th and 11th April and two Lecture Demonstrations, one at Queen’s Hall and the other at the UWI School of Continuing Studies, St Augustine, during a brief two day visit. The Board of Queen’s Hall were part sponsors of the event.

The theme of the Lecture Demonstrations was Caribbean Regional Integration Through Choral Theatre, clearly signaling the underlying spirit and purpose of the visit. Conducted by the Directors of the Chorale, and ably assisted by Professor the Honourable Rex Nettleford, UWI V.C. Emeritus who presented the Choral Theatre approach, both workshops were well attended. At each venue over 200 enthusiastic musicians and performers from Primary and Secondary Schools, Community Groups and Choirs actively articipated in sessions on Vocal Techniques, Arranging and Technical enhancements and of course Choral Theatre.

Although the Choral Theatre Approach was a new term to participants, it was soon clear that the style, a blend of movement and music, was not unfamiliar. One immediately thought of John Arnold’s Signal Hill Alumni from Tobago and Jeunes Agapes from the South, but it was informative to have the rationale and process explained by the illustrious Professor Nettleford.

During the proceedings at Queen’s Hall participants were invited to share some of their music with their Jamaican counterparts. Pupils from the Bishop Anstey Senior Choir were persuaded to take the stage. Their lively rendition of Coconuts was well appreciated by participants and directors alike. Later, Professor Nettleford further demonstrated the process with the young choir. It was obviously a treat for the participants, a rare opportunity to see one of the Caribbean’s most talented dancers, an articulate and influential artist at work. Similarly. at the Lecture Demonstration at the St. Augustine Campus, Jeunes Agape performed for the visitors. The Caribbean spirit was alive and well.

A Jamaican resident in Trinidad for many years, Robert ‘Bob’ Henry started the University Singers fifty years ago. He explained recently that a few undergraduates wanted to sing “other music” (other than classical) focusing on folk, gospel and indigenous music. It is coincidental that one of the early members was Freda Farrell, a Trinidadian who later as Freda Araujo would become the principal of the Bishop Anstey High School whose Choir performed at the Lecture/Demonstration. Because Mona was the sole campus in those early days, Henry explained, the group was truly representative of the region. Today UWI has three main campuses in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica as well as twelve regional centres. Yet the choir, although mostly Jamaican, is still well represented by other West Indians. Bob Henry added that The Jamaican Government recognizes the UWI Singers as an integral part of Jamaican expression. They are truly an integral part of Caribbean expression and should be treasured.

The repertoire of the Singers is wide and varied, it includes the classical, spirituals, folk, gospel, jazz, local and pop. Even more interesting is the inclusion of original work of Caribbean composers. Some of the composers – F.E Halliburton, and Noel Dexter are members of the group. The programme presented at Queen’s Hall was well balanced, the first half offering classical music, original compositions, spirituals, while the second half was devoted to Folk.

One appreciated the wholesome tone of the choir and the seamless way the programme moved along. The soloists complimented but did not overshadow the choral effort; mention should also be made of Murphey Osborne’s Every Time I Feel the Spirit which was particularly moving. One of the strong points of the Choir is its impressive male section which gives depth and resonance to the overall tone. The Folk was captivating, beautifully costumed (in fact the whole show was skillfully costumed and lit) using the red motif cleverly to keep the eye alert, the items were lively, amusing, with some original numbers. The Choir has its own musicians who provided accompaniment throughout and in a Band Interlude of Caribbean Rhythms showed their considerable skill.

The University Singers in concert clearly demonstrated a professionalism, originality, precision and enthusiasm that captivated the audience and distinguished them as one of the leading choral groups in the Caribbean.