by John Sealy
Prince Cave Hall, District “A” Police Station, Station Hill, St Michael came alive with memories and music during the Modern High School Scholars’ Association variety concert on Sunday evening.
President Michael Merritt, in welcoming his colleagues, acknowledged the effort of emcee Arnold Ward for putting the event together.
The acts featured were the internationally renowned Barbados Police Service Band, singers Jillisa Renè, Mike Remie, Lisanne Denny, The Most Honourable Anthony Mighty Gabby Carter, Shirley Stewart, De Folk Xperience [group]; mouth organist Oslyn Alleyne and the Barbados Landship.
The Barbados Police Service Band under the direction of Inspector Anderson Whitehall was the spine of the evening’s musical presentation. They played a number of pieces and also accompanied Renè, Gabby and Stewart during their renditions.
Renè lived up to her announced description of being a soulful soprano in her two selections Never Walk Alone and The Prayer. There is something about her tone – a solemnity that holds the attention of the audience, especially heard in Never Walk Alone.
Mouth organist Alleyne peeled back the layers of nostalgia with the ability to blow the mouth organ as admired in early Barbados. Armed with a number of organs he switched from one to the other to capture the notes of his renditions.
Kudos to the Modern High School Scholars for supporting young and upcoming talent: example, singer Denny, a student at the Barbados Community College and the Barbados Landship which featured a number of youthful members.
Emcee Ward said that Denny expressed a desire to showcase her talent to those in attendance. Though a little nervous, she did a pleasing rendition of Rihanna’s Stay to track music, bringing a modern feel to a hall which catered to an older adult audience.
The Barbados Landship, celebrating 160 years was special. It was packed with youthful energy, coming from both boys and girls. Their well-choreographed dance movements responding to the rhythm of the tuk band (the engine room) mimic the activity of a ship at sea. This underscored the heritage connection between African and colonial British naval traditions. The plaiting of the Maypole, a staple of the Land Ship presentation, kept viewers on edge as the young members ducked and twirled to wrap their ribbons in a perfect pattern around the pole in the centre. They received a thunderous applause.
Coordinator of the Barbados Landship Programme Wayne Worrell spoke highly of the youth participation and of his desire to widen the movement’s community involvement.
De Folk Xperience group managed by Ronald Davis – also known as Ronnie D – who accompanied on guitar was also a hit. They had the audience and even members of the Police Service band tapping their feet. It was a clear indication that they had endeared themselves to the audience. Their repertoire consisted of all original pieces delivered with lots of energy and which told stories of folk life and places of interest in Barbados.
Stewart and Gabby brought the curtain down with popular songs which included Walk Away From Love and Emmerton respectively.
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