A variety of music that is familiar, as well as music that is not so familiar, but will be inspiring and uplifting during the season will be the order of the day at the Bahamas National Youth Choir's (BNYC) Seventh Annual Concert of Music for Christmas.

"Patrons should expect to go away feeling blessed, and ready to rejoice in the season," said choir director and founder Cleophas R.E. Adderley.

With a number of talented new singers making their debut at the upcoming performance, Adderley said they have been training and putting in the hours to prepare themselves for the much-anticipated event of the season that will take place on Tuesday, December 15 at Trinity Methodist Church, Frederick Street and Trinity Place at 7:30 p.m. The free concert, which is expected to run approximately one hour and 15 minutes will be held under the patronage of Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling. A collection will be taken to help defray the choir's expenses.

The BNYC was established in 1983 under the direction of Adderley as a part of the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Bahamian independence. During March 2015 it presented its 25th Annual Concert season at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts and in May celebrated 25 years of continuous existence with a church service at Christ Church Cathedral, and in October an Exhibition of Photographs and Materials at The Central Bank of The Bahamas Art Gallery. The singers who are between the ages of 15 and 25 years, give of their time and talent without remuneration as a form of national service.

Over the years the choir has toured and given performances in 25 countries on four continents including the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, France, Germany, Finland, China, South Africa, and Swaziland. They have also sung in 25 languages including German, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Hungarian, Italian and five African languages.

The singers have graced the stages of internationally acclaimed venues including the Concert Hall of The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.), The Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (New York City), The Grand Hall of The Moscow Conservatory (Russia), Beijing Symphony Hall and The Poly Theatre (China), Oxford University Playhouse and The Barbican (England); and have rendered anthems and sung the responses at mass at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

During the summer of 2015 the singers toured the Dominican Republic and performed with Maestro Darwin Aquino and the 70-plus member National Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic. The singers also toured The Republic of Haiti and were delighted and honored to meet and perform on the same program with internationally acclaimed Haitian composer Sydney Guillaume.

The Bahamas National Youth Choir will perform Guillaume's Dominus Vobiscum at this year's Christmas Concert. Guillaume's music is in great demand and has been performed on five continents. It is the first time that his music is being performed in The Bahamas.

"This piece is quite challenging, and is a wonderful synergy of the European music of the Roman Catholic Church, and ever-emerging African rhythms and Haitian Creole and culture," said Adderley.

Also included on the program will be music from Handel's Messiah featuring guest artist Garrad Rigby (tenor), and well known carols Sleigh Ride, Joy to the World, The First Noel; a gospel carol Pretty Little Baby arranged by James Cleveland/Rollo Dilworth; Nigerian carol "Betelehemu" and Bahamian carol "O Mary" written by Cleophas Adderley. There are also works by C.P.E. Bach, Phillip W.J. Stopford, John Alexander, and Heather Sorenson amongst others.

Nathan Lightbourn, the choir's second assistant director will perform two piano solo works, Sonata Number 8 (Second Movement) by Ludwig Van Beethoven and Concert Etude No. 1 by Nikolai Kapustin. The choir's assistant director Dexter Fernander will be on the harpsichord and will assist Adderley with conducting. He is also responsible for rehearsing the BNYC alumni who will make a special appearance as the choir brings its 25th anniversary celebrations to a close. The alumni will augment the choral forces on some of the larger works.

The director and members are grateful to Reverend William "Bill" Higgs and the trustees of Trinity Methodist Church for their continued support of the choir, the Government High School for the loan of hand bells and to everyone who have helped to make the upcoming performance possible.

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