KC Choir delights in Christmas performance

One did not need to be a music aficionado to appreciate the voices raised in celebration of the Yuletide season, as the Kingston College Chapel Choir presented ‘Tidings of Comfort and Joy’ at the St Augustine Chapel on the school’s North Street campus on Sunday. The evening of Christmas choral music showcased the vocal talents of both old boys and current students, accompanied by the Fortis Friends Chamber Ensemble.

This year, the annual Christmas concert series, under the direction of conductor Audley Davidson, aim to convey the message of hope and healing in wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Melissa. As part of the proceeds from the concert is set to assist their sister school St Hilda’s Diocesan High School, which was severely impacted by the storm, students from the St Ann-based school were also in attendance.

Purple power was everywhere as the students from both Kingston College and St Hilda’s both utilise the colour in their uniforms with choir members resplendent in their distinctive purple jackets. They were joined by many old boys and parents who also came attired in the popular Fortis colour.

Founded in 1947 by Headmaster Reverend Percival Gibson, some 22 years after the school was established, the choir is one of the oldest in the island. In the 1970s, it became the first Jamaican choir to be elected to the St Nicholas Guild of the Royal Schools of Church Music, and they copped the Silver Musgrave Medal for outstanding contribution to music in 2018. Currently, the choir averages some 45 performances annually, with the highlight being the Christmas concert that is always a fitting musical culmination of a year filled with hard work and perseverance.

The evening’s performance was a quiet yet powerful reminder that Jamaica is equipped with the necessary musical talent to compete and hold its own on the world stage. Under the directorship of Davidson, the choir showcased their expanded repertoire of contemporary choral pieces as well as popular Jamaican Christmas songs, fusing the two beautifully for a delightful performance which left everyone present well sated. The 18 pieces offered were predominantly traditional works with local arrangements providing the flair which resonated with the audience. Stand out pieces included Gold for a Manger Bed, Sing Noel, The Sounds of His Love and Joy, which featured young soloist Kijani Evering.

The contribution of the late musician Noel Dexter was recognised through his song Sing De Chorus, which became one of the moments when both the choir and audience sang together. During the popular Silent Night, arranged by Donald Cashmore, the boys presented members of the audience with candles, which were lit as the chapel lights were temporarily dimmed. This created a dramatic atmosphere that complemented the song’s lyrics and the clear, melodious voices of the male singers.

nicola.cunningham@gleanerjm.com