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Audiences attending the upcoming BP Marionettes Chorales Christmas concert can look forward to performances by many award-winning young singers. The concert is titled Sing Alleluia, as it gives praise in many forms.

The featured Youth Chorale members include: Dominique Akal — Most Outstanding Junior Vocalist in the Music Festival (2016); Sergio Camejo — National Schools Soca Monarch, secondary school category; Sharissa Camejo — National Junior Calypso Monarch; Stefan Camejo — National Schools Soca Monarch, primary school category; Amelia Emmanuel — Most Outstanding Vocalist, 8-10 age bracket; Annalise Emmanuel — past Music Festival champion; Aysiah McEachnie-Assing — winner, solo and duet categories in the 11-12 age group at the Music Festival, and Tamika-Diandra Joseph (who sings in the Youth and adult choirs) — Most Promising Singer in the Open Category at Music Festival where she won three championships.
Musical Director Gretta Taylor said several of the pieces have either Alleluia or Hallelujah as a central theme and the concert gives praise through oratorios, spirituals and gospel music from from the four corners of the earth — North and South America, Europe, Britain, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
Taylor said the theme was chosen because the world is in a ferment and needs to put its trust in the Almighty, as His help is needed. She also said she hoped to remind audiences to remember the value of harmony and solidarity and the positives of the T&T we love. “People should come and see the show because Music has a way of lifting one’s spirits — it is soul food. Many have said that they come to our concerts tired and down, but leave feeling happy and uplifted. This concert is really upbeat, rhythmic, full of fun, which we hope will lift everyone’s spirits in these fraught times.”
Taylor said the concert has something for everyone. She believes most people will appreciate the humour and liveliness in the Latin American segment, “and the local Christmas music segment, arranged by Desmond Waithe, is quite infectious. Classical music aficionados will favour the Handel and Bruckner, and there are big stirring numbers as well.”
Assistant Musical Director Dr. Roger Henry said “one song in particular, “Stand Together,” is all about the power of unity, how we’re all better off when we work together to realize our common dreams. It’s a rich message at a time when the world is so torn apart by war and dissension.”
Regional President of BPTT, Norman Christie said each year, the highlight of the Marionettes Christmas concert series is the opportunity he and his family get “to join in working with my fellow employees and other volunteers in hosting the special matinee performance for senior citizens and challenged children from caretaker institutions across the country. The Christmas season gives us reason to “sing alleluia” and I can think of no better group to lead us in the act of praise than the Marionettes.”
The concert will feature music & styles from around the world including American, Cuban, Hebrew/Jewish, European, Venezuelan and local. Audiences can expect to hear classics like Handel’s “Sing Unto God” and “Hallelujah Chorus”, as well as arrangements of Baron’s “It’s Christmas” and “Come go” by Desmond Waithe.
The concert series runs from December 8 to 11 at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain. Ticket prices range from $150 to $300 and various discounts are available. For more information, contact orders@marionetteschorale.com and 790-1751 or find The Marionettes Chorale on Facebook.