Lydians choir sings Songs of Praise at St Finbar's

The Lydians celebrates sacred music Sunday with In Songs of Praise at St Finbar’s Catholic Church, Diego Martin.

Starting at 5 pm, the concert, sponsored by First Citizens, will “take patrons through the sacred music and sacred-themed writings from cultures and pens of the region.”

From Barbados, Cuba and the Bahamas to TT, Jamaica and St Lucia, In Songs of Praise will feature/present music of the Christian faith as well as regional religious movements such as Orisha and Rastafari faiths.

Featured composers/arrangers and musical adaptations include the work of the late Noel Dexter, Kaestner Robertson and Hanif Lawrence of Jamaica, John Jacob, Anton Williams and Michael Hudlin of TT, Keitje Greaves of St Lucia and Mitchell Nicholls of Barbados. Works from Musical Director Carl Anthony Hines will also be showcased.

“The inspiration came out of the desire to unearth and further popularize regional music. This is part of our goal to showcase the music and musicians of the region, to highlight that range and versatility,” Hines explains in a release.

“The title of the show came out of a discussion the music team and I had some years back. I had expressed a desire to do a concert series on the music of the region. This series would not just limit itself to being a series of 'folk' shows, but themed, varied music, comprising sacred, folk and calypso, contemporary and beyond.”

As is customary for the Lydians, the show will highlight the talents of the region’s young and upcoming arrangers/composers while paying homage to the works and legacy of those that have gone before.

“It is a point of hope and joy to hear Lydians bring to life the artistic perspectives of emerging voices in the Caribbean. A personal goal of mine is that each concert we undertake features at least one new work by a young composer of the region.  I also think in a significant way the show serves as a tribute to past luminaries, and in this, is interwoven with the music of a friend and mentor, the late Noel Dexter,” says Hines.

Originally aimed to be presented in the Eastertide season of 2021, the concert was postponed due to the pandemic lockdown.

The concert will be a snapshot reel, aiming to give patrons a sense of pride in the beauty, spirit, and versatility of the sounds of our community and a taste for more to come.

The programme will include solos from Alicia Barrie (soprano), Edward Cumberbatch (tenor), Dirk Govia (baritone), Joseph Knights (counter-tenor) and Kory Mendez (tenor), as well as ensemble, full choir pieces and the Lydian Steel ensemble.

Part proceeds from the concert will be in aid of St Joseph’s RC restoration fund.

Next on the choir’s agenda is the Lydian Steel 25th anniversary recital Seasons of Steel on July 16-17l, a guest appearance at MW Productions's July Concert and the Lydian Yuletide Season –Lydians on the Mount Advent series and annual Christmas concert at the end of the year.

Tickets for In Songs of Praise can be purchased from Lydian members and at The Dominican Book Centre, Morne Coco Road, Diego Martin. Additionally, ticket reservations can be made via a call or Whatsapp to 355-7769 or 323-6653.