Starlift brings ‘Endless Love’

On the evening of Saturday, December 18, the Michael Findlay Pavilion at Arnos Vale was transformed into a virtual ampitheatre, where Starlift and Friends treated Vincentians to a Christmas concert entitled “Endless Love”.{{more}}

The 1000 seat pavilion, packed to capacity, was resonant for close to four hours with beautiful endless harmony.

The concert began shortly after 8 p.m. and when it ended close to midnight, the overwhelming consensus was that a concert of this calibre must be an annual feature on the Vincentian Christmas calendar.

Presenting a production like this on an annual basis would be no small feat, but the 43-year-old Starlift Steel Orchestra had a similar presentation last year; thus, experience gained should make the production less onerous from year to year.

This year’s presentation once again featured Cantemus, the all-female vocal ensemble brilliantly directed by Donna Clarke; the ‘fine wine’ of the New Kingstown Chorale under the skilled direction of Jeanne Horne; our McIntosh prodigies, Syl and Frankie, on saxophone and piano respectively; the vocally captivating Ricky Bowman; the Police Brass; and the veteran master of ceremonies Evans Bernard John.

The orchestra itself had two directors: musical virtuoso Vernon Coombs, who was able to elicit a fully blended sound from the pans and Kingsley ‘Hero” Roberts, whose direction produced smooth tenor- focussed presentations.

Novel performances this year came from Starlift’s 2010 graduates; Raejhaun ‘Dixie’ Baptiste (on pan) and Derron Andrews on piano and violin, both students of the Jamaica School of Music; the talented 10-year-old Saeed Bowman in a pan duet with Baptiste; the Dynamic Chorale Voices, a choir of energetic melodic teenagers; and the trio of Penola Ross, Fenton John and Danny-Lee Francis in a harmonious performance of “Mary Did You Know”.

One of the highlights of the evening was the honoring of Vincentian musical treasure Patrick Prescod who appeared on stage during the rendition of the item ‘The Right Hand of God’, whose lyrics he wrote. He received a standing ovation and a priceless Scrapie Dopwell plaque.

The New Kingstown Chorale’s performance with Starlift and Frankie McIntosh of ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ was fittingly dedicated to the late Kenny Durrant, who last performed with the Chorale during last year’s Starlift presentation.

The penultimate performance of the evening was the amazing rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus (Handel’s Messiah) by Starlift, the New Kingstown Chorale and Cantemus. This rendition was as wonderful as it was last year, but this time, it was followed by fireworks.

Thank you Starlift and Friends for this Christmas gift of ‘Endless Love’ and dedication. (AB)