The St. Augustine’s Chorale, established fifteen years ago, ended 2015 and began 2016 with a 50-minute musical treat on December 27 and January 3 respectively, thrilling and positively influencing a large and appreciative audience. A school of thought is that the Chorale, which received its customary, but perhaps more definitive standing ovation, performed at its best in recent Christmas/New Year seasons.
The well-timed 13-item performance, entitled Hallelujah Jesus is Born, was a combination of inspiring songs and narrations. According to the Director of the Chorale, Mr. Lennox Vanterpool, it was “the perfect blend of high energy praise and stirring intimate worship reflecting the exhilarating joy and reverent wonder of seeing God in human flesh.” He added: “Accompanied by the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School Orchestra, and featuring new and experienced soloists, the Chorale [sought] to bless, inspire and minister to the heart of every person present.” For each person in attendance, it was clearly a good manner in which to end 2015 and to ring in 2016 with hope and faith.
Lead Chorale member, Mrs. Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, put the performance into perspective during a brief introduction. “Christmas is a time of celebration – a time to get together as family and friends,” she said in part. “Most of all, however, it is a time to lift up praise to our Heavenly Father for sending us His one and only Son…Every Christmas Season we are reminded of our own responsibility to accept Christ not only as a Babe in Manager, but as our Saviour, our Lord and our King. Our solemn prayer for ourselves, and for you today, is that we are drawn closer into a deeper and more meaningful relationship with the Christ of Christmas from this day forward, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith…May your souls be blessed, your spirits refreshed, and your lives challenged, as the St. Augustine’s Chorale and Orchestra, under the direction of Lennox Vanterpool, presents Hallelujah, Jesus is Born.”
The performances comprised: And He Shall Reign, Hallelujah Jesus Is Born, Everybody Praise Him, Silent Night, Holy Night, When He Brought the Song, Away in a Manager, Glory, Worship You, Jesus, Be Born in Me, Pastoral Prayer (O Come, All Ye Faithful), Come Fill My Heart, There’s a Reason, Hallelujah, Jesus Is Born (finale). It was acknowledged that the music for Hallelujah Jesus Is Born was arranged by Geron Davis and Bradley Knight, two current American music composers.
The Chorale performers were Evalyn Allen, Gina Brooks, Audra Hodge-Carty, Angelica Duncan, Annette Duncan, Deseree Duncan, Maureen Duncan, Twana Duncan, Tameika Fleming, Samara Gumbs, Sandra Liddie-Gumbs, Gesel Hodge, Agnes Duncan-Maurice, Sylvene Petty, Iris Richardson, Margaret Augustus, Chanelle Petty Barrett, Monique Carty, Althea Hodge, Evorna Hodge, Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, Pansy Richardson, Zulma Webster, Darren Augustus, Aaron Duncan, Delvin Fleming, Calvin Harrigan, Malcolm Webster, James Harrigan, Clemvio Hodge and Patrick Vanterpool.
In a general expression of appreciation, Mr. Lennox Vanterpool took the opportunity to offer special thanks to Nurse Margaret Augustus, whom he described as “the visionary behind St. Augustine’s Chorale” and Mrs. Kimba Southwell, his Accompanist and fellow Music Teacher.
He added: “Each one of these beautiful numbers you heard spoke to me personally in a special way – and I would like, on behalf of the Chorale, and on my own behalf, to encourage all of us to hear what God is saying to each of us through the music, the spoken word and wherever life may take us. Thank you all very much and a Happy New Year to everybody.”
Not only had the audience enjoyed and applauded the Chorale, but joined in the programme by singing such popular carols as Angels We Have Heard on High and O Little Town of Bethlehem.
The Benediction was pronounced by the Right Reverend L. Errol Brooks.
