Under the distinguished patronage of Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, GCMG, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, The BNYC under the direction of Dexter Fernander will present the premiere of “The Christmas Psalm”, written by BNYC alumnus Sonovia Ovette Pierre.
“It will set the mood for the evening performance,” said Fernander.“In selecting music, generally I look for something that leaves an impression on individuals, hopefully for most concert attendees they leave with a message in music.”
Fernander added that attendees could look forward to an evening that warms their hearts and kindles the spirit of Christmas.
“We’re providing refreshing new music and revisiting traditional classical songs. They can look forward to fascinating arrangements,” he said.
A very special tribute will also be paid to the late Cleophas R.E. Adderley, OBE. The cultural icon was the founder and director of The Bahamas National Youth Choir. Fernander said that the choir will present a Bahamian carol composed by the late Cleophas Adderley and that attendees can expect a very pleasant surprise.
Having sung in more than 25 different languages over the years, the choir is famed for pushing the envelope and breaking through language barriers. Therefore, in addition to the English selection of music, chorale enthusiasts will also be serenated by songs sung in German and Latin.
A piece of music that Fernander is particularly excited to share with concert goers is a Creole piece entitled “Noel Ayisyen” (A Haitian Noel) by Emile Desamours, because it has never been performed locally.
“It is being premiered in The Bahamas, the text itself encapsulates the Christmas story, I found that the composer uses very interesting tones. If you listen to the melody without words in itself is remarkable.” he said.
“I’ve never heard the clicking sound of the tongue actually written into score and that intrigued me into using this piece.”
Desamours is a civil engineer, organist and choirmaster. He’s one of Haiti's most active and internationally renowned composers. He currently serves as musical director for Haiti's premier folk choir, "Voix et Harmonie." Desamours has composed and arranged numerous pieces for piano and chorus, often employing elements of Haitian folk music in his works.
The diverse programme of Christmas music will include works by Roland Carter, J. S. Bach, Howard Helvey, John Purifory, George Frideric Handel, Mark Hayes, Tom Fettke, W. A. Mozart and others.
This year’s concert of Christmas music will also feature classically trained Bass-Baritone Dylan Stewart. Additional guest artists include Soprano Keri Sherman, Bass vocalist Charles Zonicle and Cellist, Romel Shearer.
Accompanists include Assistant Choir Director Nathan Lightbourne and Dr. Christy Lee along with organist Victor Chandler.
The concert is expected run for approximately one hour and twenty minutes, without intermission therefore attendees must be seated by 7:15 p.m. There is no admission charge however; a collection will be taken to help defray expenses.
The BNYC was established in 1983 under the direction of its founder the late Cleophas R.E. Adderley, OBE as a part of the celebrations marking the tenth anniversary of Bahamian independence. Over the years the choir has toured and given performances in twenty-eight countries on four continents including The United States, Canada, Mexico, England, France, Germany, Trinidad, Belize, Mexico, China, South Africa, and Swaziland. They have also sung in twenty-five 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.
There are currently 32 choristers in the BNYC who are all passionately preparing to put on an amazing show.
“At the end of the day we are looking for people to expect to just get into the Christmas spirit and be pleased with our presentation. “I look forward to seeing allot of people come out to support the BNYC, a national entity and an institution that every Bahamian should be proud of,” said Fernander.
The director and members of BNYC are grateful to Reverend William “Bill” Higgs and the Trustees of Trinity Methodist Church for their continual support of The Choir, and to all others who have helped to make this performance possible.
