Now playing: ‘The University Singers Xtra Large’
Published:Thursday | June 29, 2023 | 12:27 AMMichael Reckord/Gleaner Writer
It’s as if the University Singers are trying to make up for the last three annual concert seasons they missed because of the COVID-19 lockdowns. The 2023 season is bigger, bolder and brighter than before. In other words, “extra-large”.
Consider the facts. At two hours and 45 minutes, it’s longer than usual. For decades, there was one movement director, Rex Nettleford. Now, the printed programme names five men as choreographers – Nettleford, Kevin Moore, Franklin E. Halliburton, Heston Boothe and Kester Bailey.
The 32 singers who grace the stage of the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts (PSCCA) are dressed in more colours than the rainbow. There are 29 items on the programme, with some of the songs being medleys; so we get at least snatches of more than 30 songs.
Ten musicians are listed, though on Sunday the band comprised six players. It both supports the Singers and entertains on its own.
Here, too, is Halliburton, the conductor/director, on the veritable smorgasbord offered to audiences: “We have served up a delectable mix of classical music for the traditionalists; neo-classical music for the discerning impressionistic ear; music from the pop culture for the young and young at heart; our folk music for the rooted and grounded; and we culminate with the experimentations and polyrhythms of a new world genre, Afrobeats.”
But though audiences get a lot in sheer quantity, the most notable “extra” comes from the quality of the singing. It’s superb, partly because the voices are strong, clean and controlled.
And the arrangements of the pieces are impressive in their variety, which is not surprising since there are so many arrangers. The main ones are Halliburton, with My Soul’s Been Anchored in de Lord, Sunday Day Clothes, and Bromley, a traditional song, and Noel Dexter, with We Can Sing and One Han Cyan Clap from the pantomime Trash (by Barbara Gloudon and Astley ‘Grub’ Cooper), Charlie Marley (lyrics by the University Singers), Dalfus, Uniform and Lloyd Lovindeer’s satirical Trailer Load o’ Politicians.
Additionally, Hall Johnson arranged I’ve Been ‘Buked. Jon Williams arranged Michael Jackson’s Heal the World. Ewan Simpson & O’neal Mundle arranged Gospel Medley, and Katherine Brown arranged South African Medley and A frican Celebration, an instrumental jamboree, Djenne Greaves arranged Marcia Griffiths’ haunting Dreamland as well as Anthony Cruz’ Half-Way Tree; and Chrisoher Whyte arranged Afrobeats Fusion, the frenetic grand finale.
Gavanne Ferguson, president of the Singers, writes in his message that his vision is to continue “seeking new ways to tell stories and stir emotions through choral theatre. We believe in the magic and power of choral theatre to touch hearts, challenge minds and connect us all.”
The choral theatre route has taken the group into the realm of traditional theatre, for the performers not only sing but also dance and act with great feeling – almost as if they are in a Broadway musical. The emotions projected are as powerful in the first half with the classical and sacred music as in the second half, which is full of traditional and pop music.
After enjoying all the University Singers offers us, our response to Halliburton’s statement, “…we hope that you’ll be satisfied, filled, rejuvenated and inspired after spending the evening with us,” can only be, “Yes, Franklin, we were.”
The 2023 season ends on Sunday.