‘Most exciting ever’ University Singers concert
Published:Sunday | December 24, 2023 | 6:17 AMMichael Reckord - Sunday Gleaner Writer
The music was magnificent. The singing of the full choir was superb, the solos sublime.
The dance and drama were dynamic. The décor was divine, which was appropriate, considering the theme, Christmas and the birth of Jesus.
In general, the audience found the concert captivating, and at its close they gave a standing ovation. This was exactly what conductor Franklin E. Halliburton had worked toward as, starting seriously in September, he planned the 26th Bank of Jamaica-sponsored University Singers concert for the University Chapel, Mona, on Wednesday.
Asked by The Gleaner, “Did you consciously set out to make this concert the most exciting ever staged by the University Singers?” his quick answer was “Yes.”
He continued, “Over the years, I have watched the concerts grow and get better and better, so my team and I asked ourselves how we could make this year’s show as enjoyable as possible for everyone. We decided it had to be a big production.”
And a big production it was.
Under the heading Cast, the programme contains three-and-a-half pages packed with names printed in very small fonts. The cast includes 37 members of the choir, their regular backing band augmented by musicians from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Jamaica Defence Force and elsewhere, three persons responsible for costuming, three choreographers, and a production coordinator. Also in the cast are nine crew members, 11 dancers who played angels and dozens more who portrayed characters in the comic song The Twelve Days of Christmas.
The concert was also large in terms of the content. Taking just under three hours to be presented were a couple of speeches, one of which was a welcome by BOJ Governor Richard Byles before the concert proper began. The other speech, by Halliburton during the intermission, was a combination of a vote of thanks and a history of the association between the BOJ and the University Singers.
The body of the programme comprised some two dozen hymns and carols by both the full choir and soloists. Two solos, Mary Did You Know? by Mark Lowry (tenor) and O Holy Night by Althea McKenzie (soprano), were unbelievably beautiful and got tremendous applause.
Also deserving special mention were the powerful singing by the full choir of Handel’s Hallelujah chorus from his oratorio Messiah; the carol We Three Kings (featuring bass Kester Bailey, baritone Hanief Lallo and tenor Sean Moncrieffe); and Halliburton’s drum-dominated version of a 15th century song, Adam Lay Ye Bounden.
Led by Halliburton, the audience joined in lusty singing of a number of the items. They included Vic Reid’s patriotic song I Pledge My Heart and Noel Dexter’s Run, Come Quick and Sing De Chorus.
A major contributor to the size of the production was the presentation of a special version of the popular seasonal song The Twelve Days of Christmas. The Mack Wilberg arrangement was given Jamaicanised lyrics referring to Patoo Owls, sorrel, Jangas, Rude Boys, Rastas, and the like, by Halliburton. It featured dozens of boys and girls in costumes by Quindel Ferguson, dancing to choreography by Reneé I. McDonald.
It was all quite splendid. Those unfortunate music lovers who missed the concert will have a chance to see it on TVJ on Christmas Day.