by Warren Cassell
National Choir -Sing it loud
Members of the National Youth Choir (NYC) were once again given a major boost in their theatrical production skills. From stage production to musical rendition these skills were all evident during the one night production titled “Sing It Loud” at the Cultural Centre on July 19th 2014, behind a theme of ‘Truth’.
The production opened with an atmospheric rendition of Al Shloasha D’Varim, a Hebrew text translated to mean “The world is sustained by three things: by truth, by justice and by peace.” The production then proceeded with each song being based on one of those three concepts. During the first half of the show, the NYC explored how these concepts might crop up in our day to day lives. They then moved away from an individual prospective for the second half of the evening, focusing their attention on the world in general.
Songs included James Brown “I FEEL GOOD”, Michael Jackson’s “MAN IN THE MIRROR” and “3 LITTLE BIRDS” by Bob Marley and the Wailers. This was the final production involving choir director Rebecca Chalmers.
This time round the choir was without several of the senior grouping and others because of the children holiday season, several having traveled overseas.
Rebecca tells the children goodbye
Children say Farewell Rebecca
Just ten days after she staged the second grand performance of the National Youth Choir at the Montserrat Cultural Centre a discovered shy and quiet Miss Rebecca Chalmers we were told succumbed to the children’s request for an opportunity to ceremoniously and privately say goodbye.
The NYC bade farewell to its founder and director Monday.
Rebecca Chalmers, who has worked with the choir since its inception, leaves the island this Friday
To show their appreciation, organizers out of the Ministry of Youth and choir members of the group gathered at the Brades Primary School to say their goodbyes.
Rebecca got support as the organizers explained how they, with prompting and of course with her direction and productions created the choir. Rebecca explained how excited she was about the talent which the children and young people have exhibited in just over a year.
“I always try to do stuff they can think about so they’re not thinking about stuff that isn’t relevant to them, and to me that’s important,” she told Editor Roach.
Rebecca (left) Choir member (right)
She spoke especially of the last production ‘Sing it Loud’. “It’s all about being true to yourself and not feeling the pressure as you’re not changing – all those things and that are relevant to them at that age and that’s very important to them,” she said proudly, adding, “The little ones they do their little thing about telling the truth and the older ones were telling the truth about relationships and the guys getting their justice and what they deserve.”
A few of the little ones expressed their own emotions of love at how much they enjoyed their time with their Miss Chalmers, how they will miss her, hoping that they will be able love replacement as much. Rebecca was emotional as she tried to respond to the children who offered their sentiments of love, with one of the senior members singing, ‘The Rose’ in her honour.
Miss Chalmers came to Montserrat two years ago as part of the Montserrat Foundation UK Music Program, as part of her work towards her music degrees.
“The rose” Sung in honour of Rebecca
The program continues and another will follow, expected to arrive on island in time for the next academic school year, confirmed by officials associated with the establishment of the choir.
Chalmers was able to establish the National Youth Choir after one year, an accomplishment she says she is proud of.
A replacement for Chalmers
So far the choir has participated in a number of activities especially the Festivals beginning with 2013 Christmas festival, St. Patrick’s Day week festivities and this last Calabash Festival. The opening of several ceremonies and Montserrat year end Festival to name a few. There are to date 64 members in the choir.
TMR wishes Rebecca Chalmers every success in her future endeavors. There is no doubt she will be missed.
Check our facebook page :
Sing it Loud Concert pics: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152289252790852.1073741965.203080105851&type=3
Goodbye pics: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152321664505852.1073741968.203080105851&type=3
