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 âEndless Loveâ.{{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 yearâs presentation once again featured Cantemus, the all-female vocal ensemble brilliantly directed by Donna Clarke; the âfine wineâ 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 âHeroâ Roberts, whose direction produced smooth tenor- focussed presentations.
Novel performances this year came from Starliftâs 2010 graduates; Raejhaun âDixieâ 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 âMary Did You Knowâ.
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 âThe Right Hand of Godâ, whose lyrics he wrote. He received a standing ovation and a priceless Scrapie Dopwell plaque.
The New Kingstown Choraleâs performance with Starlift and Frankie McIntosh of âItâs the Most Wonderful Time of the Yearâ was fittingly dedicated to the late Kenny Durrant, who last performed with the Chorale during last yearâs Starlift presentation.
The penultimate performance of the evening was the amazing rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus (Handelâs 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 âEndless Loveâ and dedication. (AB)
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