Sunday, December 28, 2014 was the first of two great presentations entitled “A Christmas Serenade” at St Augustine’s Anglican Church at East End, with the second arranged for next Sunday, January 4, 2015.
Mr Lennox Vanterpool, Director of the St Augustine’s Chorale, described the performances as being the “works of different genres featuring prominent composers from the Gospel, jazz, classical and African traditions.”
In addition to the famed St Augustine’s Chorale, Mr Vanterpool also arranged for the appearance of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School’s Concert Band, which he also directs, and the St Augustine’s Orchestra. He said the audience would “experience yet another fresh, thrilling perspective of the sweetest carol every sung – “Glory to God and on earth Peace and Love to all people.”
The selections by St Augustine’s Chorale were listed as follows: Mary Had a Baby/Joyful, Joyful; When A Child Is Born/O Holy Night; Goin’ To Bethlehem; Strange Way To Save the World; Amen! Tell it on the Mountain; Bell Carol; Grownup Christmas List; African Christmas Spiritual; and A Classic Christmas; The Instrumental Serenade was by the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School’s Concert Band.
The St Augustine’s Orchestra, which also performed during the Christmas Serenade, was a welcome addition to the event.
The congregational singing of such popular carols like Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Angels from the Realm of Glory added much to the enjoyment of the performances.