DISCIPLINE, PASSION and resilience have been the foundation on which the Signal Hill Alumni Choir (SHAC) has built its success over the past 40 years.
“It’s only when you reach the 40 milestone you realise how much time has flown. But as an institution, I think the choir has been able to demonstrate excellence, resilience and really carried the ambassadorial torch for Tobago in several ways,” co-founder and artistic director John Arnold told Sunday Newsday.
Apart from winning the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) for culture in the 1997 National Awards and being declared a national icon, the choir has been a fixture at prestigious events both at home and abroad, thrilling audiences with their crisp vocals, eye-catching outfits and synchronised movements.
Over the years, the choir has performed for several global figures, including late South-African anti-apartheid activist Desmond Tutu and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.
[caption id="attachment_1067435" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Signal Hill Alumni Choir has played a major role in shaping the lives of its members. -[/caption]
To commemorate its 40th anniversary, the choir has organised a year of activities, under the theme, A Musical Odyssey: 2064. It begins today with an interfaith service at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex. The event, scheduled to begin at 4.30 pm, features contributions from several religious leaders, a praise and worship segment and an open forum for tributes. The choir will also perform songs from its varied repertoire.
The itinerary includes a sports and family day in May and caravans, featuring school tours, throughout several districts in Trinidad and Tobago.
The SHAC is also planning to host major concerts – one in south Trinidad, two in North Trinidad and one in Tobago – from September 21 – October 6, 2024. The anniversary celebration culminates in December with a dinner and awards ceremony.
“It is not just a Tobago celebration because we have flown the flag for Trinidad and Tobago,” Arnold said.
The choir was formally established in 1984 but the seeds were sown two years before.
Arnold recalled he began teaching at Signal Hill Secondary School (formerly Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive) in 1982, fresh from the UWI.
“In 1980, there would have been a choir in Scarborough Junior Secondary (which was a three-year institution at the time). So that choir coming up from the junior sec, some of the members had transferred to Signal Hill.”
He said late musician Michael Duncan and his wife, Cheryl, both of whom were teachers, later approached him about forming the Signal Hill Secondary School choir in 1982.
“So in 1984, for the first time, we decided we will now form the alumni.”
[caption id="attachment_1067434" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Apart from winning the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) for culture in the 1997 National Awards and being declared a national icon, the Signal Hill Alumni Choir has been a fixture at prestigious events both at home and abroad. -[/caption]
Arnold said the choir dominated the music festiva
