A packed audience filled the sanctuary at the Church of God (Holiness) on the evening of Monday, December 11th, to witness the staging of Anguilla National Junior Choir’s presentation of “We Three Spies”.
A prayer of invocation was offered by Pastor Adrian Smith and Asst. Choir Director, Kasem Thompson, welcomed the maximum-capacity audience. Choir Director, Lois Hazell, led the performances, and both the choir and the band performed remarkably well.
“We Three Spies” is a children’s musical recital by Chrissy Semsen. It is about the legend of Christmas with many variable hilarious and funny twists. It is a child’s play depicting several scenes of the Christmas story transformed in a comedy narration of a child’s imagination, bringing out a form of pious humour.
Humour was dominant in the hilarious makeover song “Spylent Night” rendered by Dwayniqua Proctor – a modification of the traditional “Silent Night”. Then there was the funny presentation of “I Don’t Like Christmas” by Tsehai Carty and the country classic “Bethlehem Bound” by Kadeon Brown. The Youth Choir on a whole rendered several performances as classical children’s pieces for a fully-fledged kids’ musical. Among these was the striking ‘Good Morning Bethlehem…here we go again’.
The Hon. Premier, Dr. Ellis Webster was among the audience, and during the House of Assembly meeting on the following day Tuesday 12th December, he gave a commendable review as he lauded the youngsters’ performances.
“I just want to commend the Anguilla National Children’s Choir for an excellent and outstanding performance last night,” he said. “Their performances were beyond extraordinary, and they made me proud to know that the potential of our young people is so great.”
The Anguillian spoke with the Director Lois Hazell, after the night’s event and learnt the children were engaged in stringent practice sessions since July: “Sixty-one children had been [selected] since September to practice for this event,” she said. “We worked tirelessly and the children were excited about performing.”
“We are of the opinion that music not only develops a child psychologically and internally as a whole human being,” she said, “but music also develops a sense of group cohesion and community, especially while doing musicals like these. These kinds of musical activities build character and enforce discipline.”
Ms. Hazell thanked the large audience for attending “We Three Spies”, as well as the sponsors and supporters for their contributions.
