A series of triumphant Easter Season songs, particularly about the Resurrection, sung with a high degree of passion, accompanying music and skilful direction, jolted the large audience to a standing ovation and applause for the performers.
The event was the Fifteenth Annual Cantata of the St. Augustine’s Chorale under the direction of Mr Lennox Vanterpool. The presentation had as its theme: My Redeemer And My Friend. Mr. Vanterpool directed the Senior St. Augustine’s Chorale as well as the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School Wind Players who also participated in the programme. Mrs. Margaret Augustus directed the St. Augustine’s Youth Chorale whose young voices added much to the delight of the event and likewise, as their senior singers and the wind players, attracted much applause.
The selections sung by the St. Augustine’s Chorale, with compositions by some of the late famed musicians, comprised: Jesus Rose; ‘Twas on One Sunday Mornin’; Forever (We Sing Hallelujah); Christ the Lord is Risen Today; and My Redeemer and My Friend.
Two songs were sung by the St. Augustine’s Youth Chorale. They were: I Will Rise and He Shall Feed His Flock.
The ALHCS Wind Players performed Wake the Jubilation and On that Great, Great Mornin’.
The Anguillian had the following brief interview with Mr. Vanterpool who, though calm and obliging, had hardly descended from the hype and crescendo of the powerful Easter Sunday programme.
Q. What does the theme My Redeemer And My Friend convey?
A. As you may have noticed, it is one song of the entire Cantata but we thought that we should place the whole presentation along those lines to really personalise the relation of Christ and His sacrifice for us. As it is Easter time, we want to really reemphasise the sacrifice that Christ made, the personal relation that each one of us can have with Him – and the whole purpose of the season is to really encapsulate that. All of the songs were talking about His death and mostly His resurrection.
Q. Fifteen years is a long time. What has kept the St. Augustine’s Chorale alive and together over that period?
A. The common purpose is to advance the Gospel and to do all things, especially in music, to the honour and glory of God. This has done much to keep the Choral together and focused.
Q. Are you delighted that the St. Augustine’s Chorale is one of the longest-serving singing and musical church groups in Anguilla?
A. Perhaps. Really and truly, we are aware of the time when we became a group, but we are not checking just to have years under our belts. It is about making a meaningful mark in the advancement of the Gospel especially in these times when everything else seems to be taking a foot-hole. We want to be really serious ambassadors for the advancement of the Gospel.
Q. From all appearances, this Chorale basically comprises a group of families and friends. How do you respond?
A. Certainly. People gravitate to what they see is working and making a difference; and sometimes family networks work best. As a small community, the talent of the singers runs deep so you may find that there are sisters, aunts and uncles, mothers and children – all across the spectrum. It is just wonderful to be working with a great set of people and singers.
Bishop Errol Brooks approached Mr. Vanterpool and members of the Chorale to congratulate them on their outstanding performance at which time The Anguillian asked him for a comment.
“Wonderful,” the Bishop replied. “I applaud them and the dedication that they have towards the music ministry – and I want to wish them all the best as they go forward. Lennox is absolutely phenomenal.”
Mrs. Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, one of the lead singers of the St. Augustine’s Chorale, in expressing gratitude to a number of persons, made particular mention of Mr. Lennox Vanterpool and Mrs. Kemba Carty-Southwell (his assistant), for their joint work. She described Mr. Vanterpool not only as the Director, but told him with her quick smile: “You are the Engine of the Chorale.”
