THEIR COMBINED voices have made them household names in Barbados and England in just over a year.They returned to the James Street Methodist Church last Saturday night after a successful and impressive showing last year to thrill their parents, teachers and other well-wishers once again.
Basking in the limelight were the 100 boys in the St Leonard’s Boys’ Choir, which came to national attention during the 2009 National Independence Festival of Creative Arts in which they took two gold medals. They followed that with a successful trip to England in July, and are now preparing for a trip to Canada next year.
Complemented by Ian Weeks and Gaye Gajadhar, who also provided vocal training and other support, the boys sang their hearts out to the glory of God and showcased their versatility and vocal ranges at the same time. They teamed up with Gajadhar, and members of the White Hall Church for some selections as well.
The BCC Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Pernell Farley, who is also the music teacher at St Leonard’s, contributed two pieces which had members of the audience toe-tapping, hand-clapping and singing along.Under the direction of Andrew Lokey, the boys presented songs such as The Lord’s Prayer, O Come Let Us Adore Him and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring in the first half.
The choir upped things a little bit in the second half with Little Drummer Boy, Ding Dong Merrily On High, Emmanuel God With Us and Glory To God. St Leonard’s is known for its exceptional results in Spanish in the junior school and it was not surprising when the choir sang a verse of Silent Night in that language.As seen with flautist Nathan Richards and pianist Akhanni Drakes, the boys are competent musicians as well.
And just to demonstrate that boys will indeed be boys, and possibly to inject a bit of humour, Lokey joined the tenor and bass singer for their version of I Ain’t Getting Nutten For Christmas, which was both entertaining and well received by the audience.
Members of the audience got an opportunity to participate in the proceedings when they joined the choir for the singing of O Come All Ye Faithful and Angels We Have Heard on High.
The school also congratulated and present certificates to several boys who were successful at their vocal exams. Some of them who passed with distinction or merit are in first and second form, and a third former is preparing to take the level five exam.
