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Spotlight - December 2005 |
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The Créme de la Créme December is the time for Christmas music. This year Queen’s Hall hosts two of Trinidad’s very best choral groups - The Marionettes Chorale who present “In Joyful Song” and the Lydian Singers with their “Lydians Tell Stories for Christmas. Both groups have recognized the work of the Patrons of Queen’s Hall and have offered discounted tickets to their performances. We thank them and promise you hours of beautiful music.
Christmas with the Marionettes at Queen’s Hall is a tradition and this year The Marionettes Chorale and the Marionettes Youth Chorale, with their conductor Gretta Taylor, will be at the Hall from Thursday December 8 to Sunday December 11, 2005.
The theme of this year’s production In Joyful Song. was chosen to express the joy of Christmas, and to mark the tenth anniversary of the Marionettes Youth Chorale. The centrepiece of the first half is Joseph Haydn’s wonderfully extrovert and vigorous Te Deum Laudamus (We praise you, O God) But the majesty of Haydn is accompanied by the fun and humour of the contemporary pieces, ranging from that prolific and melodious composer John Rutter to the worlds of opera, gospel and spiritual. The Marionettes Youth Chorale, to celebrate its 10th anniversary presents some of its favourite numbers, including some of Gershwin’s most famous songs and Paul Keens-Douglas’s “Pan Rap”. Christmas songs and carols occupy the second half of the production drawing on music from Africa to Spain. One highlight is Desmond Waithe’s choral arrangement of Relator’s lovely calypso “Make a Friend for Christmas”, with its timely seasonal advice “Let’s be friends ... let’s be friends ... let’s be friends this year.” The Soloists are drawn from the ranks of the choir — among them Jackie Smith, Marlon de Bique, Kendall Reid, Vanessa Bushe, Jackie Johnson and Nigel Floyd. Acompaniament is provided by their chamber orchestra, keyboardists and pannists. For 33 years of its 40 years of continuous performance, The Marionettes Chorale has been supported by bpTT, their sponsorship again this year is warmly acknowledged by both choirs. Tickets: $125 (reserved) and $100 (unreserved).
“Lydians Tell Stories For Christmas”
These stories, according to The Lydians’ Musical Director, Pat Bishop, have been developed into performance pieces based on the legends of St. Nicholas and of Good King Wenceslas. The libretti are written by Mark Schweizer and put to music by Richard Shepard, currently practicing at York Minster.
The stories are heart-warming and the music combines the best aspects of traditional and contemporary approaches to music. The Lydian Singers with the Lydian soloists and Lydian Steel are, of course, central to the production and will be in attendance on the Queen’s Hall Stage on Friday December 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday December 18, 2005. Laura Roper, John Jacob et al will bring traditional ‘crèche’ music to the platform, and we expect to welcome Hands of Rhythm and the Caribbean School of Dancing. Directors of “St Nicholas” and “Good King Wenceslas” are Adele Bynoe and Allison Seapaul respectively. The Choir will also sing your favourite seasonal music and Lydian Steel will be offering compositions for the season by their very own composers, Astra Noel and Kareem Brown. Geraldo Viera is responsible for the visuals and Derek Gay will once more will give us the benefit of his creative lighting design. Lydian supporters and indeed all music lovers, both young and old, can expect a real treat this season. Dates and Time: Queen’s Hall P.S. Patrons Of Queen’s Hall Are Eligible For A Discounted Ticket Of $80 Tickets on sale at Queen’s Hall Box Office,
Signature at The Normandie, Choir and Band members.
Theatre in Alternative
Spaces The Presidents' Grounds Santa arrives at 5.00 p.m. and at 6.00 p.m. The President of Trinidad & Tobago , George Maxwell Richards, the host of this hugely popular family affair, joins the gathering and the Christmas Concert takes off. The list of performers is impressive, it includes Gillian Seecharan Scott, Marilyn Lalla and her Children’s Choir, Viva Nueva Parang Band, Anslem Walters the violinist, Yolanos Sookoo, Wendy Shepherd, Wayne Harris and of course the Audience with song sheets in hand who are accompanied by Kenneth Listhrop. Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to purchase a candle for $1.00.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS D E C E M B E R * 8,9,10, 8.15 p.m. 11 6.15 p.m. Marionettes Chorale & Marionettes Youth Chorale Conductor Gretta Taylor *15,16,17, 8.15 p.m. Lydian Singers & Lydian Steel Conductor Dr. Pat Bishop 19 J A N U A R Y 5,6, 21 & 22 DISCOUNTS FOR PATRONS
Patrons Productions Coming in 2006
Versatile and accomplished Canadian soprano with a repertoire of opera oratorio, leider, twentieth century art song, spirituals, musical theatre and Jazz ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Chamber Orchestra The presentation of Trinidadian Dominique Le Gendre’s chamber suite based on Derek Walcott’s Tales of the Islands, which had its world premiere in London in April 2005.
SEASONS GREETINGS Our newest member, Mathew Lipnicki, sings seasons greetings to all our members on the behalf of Spotlight and Directors of the Patrons of Queen’s Hall. The Directorate thanks members for their continued support in buying into the future and enriching the lives of our people. GIVE A GIFT FROM THE ARTS On page 4 we suggest some affordable, artistic items to solve your Christmas shopping challenges. They all have a shelf live that continue well into the New Year. If you have any trouble accessing these gifts Patrons’ administrative staff of Shirley and Margaret would be only too happy to assist. A gift of membership: We have included a membership form which you should complete and include the subscription and the membership card inserted in an attractive gift card will be prepared and delivered to the lucky recipient or yourself. Patrons T-Shirts: These come in different sizes and subtle colours. For men there is a Polo version. Call Shirley at 623 7627 who will be only too happy to advise and oblige. The Calendar: The Cover and one month is by artist Sarah Beckett - other pages feature paintings by Ann Stapleton, Ryan Williams, Karen de Verteuil, Sundiata, and P Singh. Good News: the Marionettes CD classic presents folk and spirituals, music that uplifts the spirit in these troubled times. Happy Shopping! AU REVOIR AND WELCOME
SPOTLIGHT says au revoir to Heather Henderson-Gordon, former manager of Queen’s Hall who completed her contract with the Hall in October. We thank her for her dedication and hard work over the last six years that was so instrumental in the implementation of the refurbishment of Queen’s Hall. It is also our pleasure to welcome Yvonne Roberts-White who is now Manager of the Hall. We assure her that the Patrons will continue to support Queen’s Hall in every possible way.THANKS TO THE AMBASSADOR OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS Who graciously allocated a limited number of invitations to Patrons of Queen’s Hall to attend the concert given by talented pianist CHRISTIAAN VAN KUYVENHOVEN, award winner of the international Franz Liszt piano competition. ENTER PETER QUENTRALL-THOMAS We welcome Peter Quentrall – Thomas who has generously made his SIBIS Software and his expertise available to the Patrons to develop a Data Base to promote their presentations and recruit new members. Thank You! MAILING ADDRESS We have been fortunate to finally get a P.O. Box. Please note that the Patrons of Queen’s Hall address is now P.O. BOX 3005
Welcome New Members The response to the drive to upgrade membership and to recruit new members has been extremely successful, with one month to go in the quarter, we have realized almost 4/5 of our targeted amount. We thank the following members who have upgraded their membership and welcome the new Patrons who have joined us. Benefactors: Donors: Corporate: Members - Ordinary/Couples |
DENISE WILLIAMS
