The Ministry of Educational Transformation struck all the right notes on Wednesday as the first in a four-part October Lunchtime Concert Series hit the stage at Worthing Square, Christ Church – serving up an exciting showcase of young talent, soulful voices, and pure school spirit.
From sacred hymns to smooth sax, pop classics to calypso fire, students turned the bustling Square into a live music festival, much to the delight of the lunchtime crowd.
Kicking off the show, St Bartholomew’s Choir set a graceful tone, paving the way for two young vocalists from Lawrence T. Gay who delivered a moving Doxology before blending beautifully on The Blessing – their harmonies echoing hope and promise.
“Beautiful voices,” one audience member noted “I hope they continue singing.”
Next up, Harrison College pianist Christina Edwards show her versatility with two upbeat selections — Copacabana and Sweet Life – bringing a touch of jazz and sunshine to the midday scene.
Soulful rendition
Then came the St Leonard’s Boys’ posse, showing up strong and ready to represent. Romario Herbert-White channelled pure emotion in a soulful rendition of George Michael’s Careless Whisper on clarinet, earning loud applause from the crowd.
Jahzareo Bourne proved his grit on the saxophone with a passionate take on Rihanna’s Unfaithful.
Despite a few technical problems, the young musician, a lance corporal in his school’s cadet Corps, amd a member of the Barbados Defence Force Band and his school band, showed both skill and resilience – true performer’s spirit.
The Ellerslie School’s Shayli Hurley owned the stage next with Running, combining confident vocals and expressive movement, drawing cheers from the audience. Just 14 years old and singing since age nine, Shayli said she only began vocal performances last year after travelling overseas to raise funds for a school in Toronto. A dancer at heart, she’s determined to make performing her path.
She was followed by schoolmate Daniella Hansen, whose heartfelt delivery of Goodness Of God earned high-fives from her schoolmates – a reminder of how music can uplift both performer and peers.
Seventeen-year-old Joshua Osbourne, of St Leonard’s Boys’, last year’s third place winner in the Richard Stoute Teen Talent competition, brought a dose of vintage soul to Worthing Square. His rich, heartfelt performance of Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come would have made the legendary crooner proud – no gimmicks, just pure, passionate vocals. He followed with Billy Ocean’s Suddenly, showing his knack for selecting songs that fit his voice perfectly.
Adding extra heat to the line-up, the reigning Blackman and Gollop Calypso King and Junior Soca Monarch secondplace runner-up AJ lit up the stage with Energy, bringing an infectious vibe and getting the crowd swaying and singing along.
To close out the concert, the St Leonard’s Boys’ Steel Orchestra delivered a powerful reggae-soca medley, blending anthems such as Exodus, Rise and Shine, and getting the audience dancing and vibing to Tek Charge, Bye x2 , Darkers as they became the Heart of the Party as the music faded.
With three more concerts to go, the ministry’s series is already striking a chord – not just as entertainment, but as a celebration of youthful creativity, talent and transformation through the arts. (NS)
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