National Chorale to honour six outstanding Jamaicans

On Sunday, May 25, six outstanding Jamaicans will be honoured with the prestigious Medal of Excellence by the National Chorale of Jamaica (NCOJ) in a ceremony to be held in the ballroom of King’s House, under the patronage of Governor-General of Sir Patrick Allen.

The award recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of classical music in Jamaica and to the continued mission and cultural excellence of the chorale.

This year’s honourees are Earl Jarrett, chief executive officer of the Jamaica National Group, for his unwavering support of the arts; Donald Banks (posthumously), former chairman of the National Commercial Bank, who was a committed advocate for artistic expression and cultural advancement; Christine MacDonald, acclaimed contralto and protégé of the late Dr. Olive Lewin; Hernal L. Hamilton, a distinguished tenor whose voice has graced the chorale since the mid-1970s; Jasmin Holness, soprano and retired agricultural scientist; Dr J.S. Geddes, geologist and geochemist, whose tenor voice has been a vital part of the chorale for more than 50 years.

The National Chorale of Jamaica inaugurated the Medal of Excellence in 2015, with internationally renowned bass-baritone Willard White as the first recipient. Since then, a select number of distinguished practitioners and aficionados have been honoured for their exceptional contributions to Jamaica’s musical heritage.

“We, the NCOJ, celebrate excellence as the forerunner of eminence. Our continued recognition of deserving individuals reflects our deep conviction in the value of service and in man’s enduring humanity to man,” Christopher Samuda, chairman of the NCOJ, noted.

The evening’s programme will feature performances by the chorale.