KEEPING a choir together for 40 years is no small accomplishment. The Signal Hill Alumni Choir, (SHAC) having reached this milestone, felt it fitting to celebrate 40 years of championing all styles of music.
And celebrate it did, at the first of its four concert initiatives at the Naparima Bowl, San Fernando, on September 21.
Co-founder and artistic director John Arnold attributed the success and togetherness to being more than a choir, but a family.
The concert was not sold-out, but everyone who attended left the venue contented by the fantastic blend of voices and eclectic three hours of music.
SHAC, which has toured extensively and has left royalty, heads of state, presidents and prime ministers in awe of its harmonious voices, coupled with the colourful ensemble and amazing choreography, chose not to do it alone.
Although quite capable of performing all genres of music, instead of focusing attention on itself, Signal Hill invited the equally adept Southernaires Choir, established since 1975, the St Hillaire Brothers, versatile singer Neval Chatelal and D Panman Joshua Regrello to share in this memorable experience.
From the beginning of its first appearance, giving thanks for the past four decades with a gospel segment, to the finale when it broke away with calypso music, accompanied by the outstanding Joshua Regrello on his tenor pan, and wound its way into the audience, greeting and shaking hands, patrons showed appreciation and expressed their pleasure.
Signal Hill, which has stood out for the past four decades on the musical landscape, dug deep into its repertoire to open its debut celebration concert with the 1984 Musical Festival award-winning piece, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
Not missing a beat in either vocals or skilful movements, the first segment, dedicated to spiritual and gospel also included A Lovely Day.
Continuing the spiritual theme, the St Hillaire Brothers of Point Fortin, took the audience to church, with a repertoire which included, Bridge over Troubled Waters and I Will lift up my eyes to the Hill.
National award winners of the 1973 Hummingbird Gold Medal in the field of service, and the pride of south, the Southernaires Choir earned sustained applause as coloratura soprano Turon Nicholas opened with a pore-raising delivery of Ride on King Jesus. Along with Michelle Dowrich, the duo brought the house down with some theatre, imbibed with comic relief in a duet of Scandalised My Name. The laughter resonated in the auditorium.
John Looney, one of Southernaires members and an accomplished singer himself, also stepped out to deliver a wonderful solo performance of This is the Moment.
Under the direction of musical director Peter Lockhart, the choir, dressed in a predominantly striking red ensemble, also did Psalm 23, along with the Elizabethan Serenade, closing the first half of the show with Ride the Chariot.
Signal Hill opened the second half with the upbeat combination of African, world music, folk and reggae, aptly living up to its tagline, Music that Moves.
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