The Andrews Memorial Church Choir, looking good and sounding even better at the 10th anniversary concert An Evening of Excellence. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

The first of the Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church's concert series, An Evening of Excellence, was held in May of 2000 at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Chapel and it was a success.

Ten years later, at the same venue, and one of many Mother's Day calendar events, An Evening of Excellence - Glory to God wears the success of past events. Its programme boasted works from the contemporary to the Baroque. The selections were performed by musicians representing a wide age range and they performed as soloists, duets and choirs. It was an expression through voice and instrument (wind, percussion and string).

When Stephen Woodham stepped onto the stage, it was a show of mastery. With his violin seemingly attached to his neck, except for a few minor adjust-ments, he held the audience transfixed by a soothing Pyotr Tchaikovsky-arranged Melodie. But not before he played a more uptempo Prelude and Allegro, and Danse Espagnole, arranged by Manuel De Falla. Accompaniment by Yanique Leiba-Ebanks on piano gave each selection a polyphonic texture.

The confident Leiba-Ebanks was reflective in her solo performance of Maleguena from the Spanish Suite Andalucia. Thirteen-year-old Kaesha Thomas, also on piano, performed two contrasting pieces: the M. Arnold-arranged, jazzy-sounding Buccaneer and John Newton's Amazing Grace.

A flamboyant saxophonist, Courtney Fadlin blew the language of excellence in Eugene Bozza's arranged Aria and a jazzy Romance and Humoresque by Carl Nielsen. The School of Music lecturer was heavenly in his rendition of Total Praise and earned a sustained applause from the large audience.

On vocals were the Andrews Memorial Church Choir and its subdivided forms in the Men's and Female Chorale. With the women smartly dressed in a dark shade of orange (a fashionable fall colour), and the men in black suits with white shirts and black bow ties, they sang with one accord.

Appreciative audience

Their selections included Glorious Is Thy Name, arranged by Mozart, and The Lord Is My Shepherd, arranged by the Austrian composer Franz Schubert. The all-female group, with directors Verley Brown and Charles Clayton, captured the almost homophonic texture associated with the Romantic music era. When the choir, joined by Lori Burnett and Paul Williamson as lead, performed When I Speak His Name, the audience was appreciative.

Before their great performance with the choir, Burnett and Williamson gave sterling performances as soloists and as a duo. Williamson, who returned to Jamaica for the concert, received one of two standing ovations for a beautiful performance of a selection from La Bohème, arranged by Giacomo Puccini. He sang with fervour, especially in his duet with Burnett. It was a dramatic rendition of another Puccini-arranged piece, O Soave Fancuilla, a duet from La Bohème and received the only vocal applause from the audience, some saying "well done."

Also performing on the evening's programme was the ensemble called Gloria, founded in 2001 by Andrew Marshall. Travelling from the other end of the island, the group showed no signs of the expected travel fatigue. They were wonderful in their singing of In The Sweet Bye And Bye and Abide With Me.

In recognition of Mother's Day, the moms who were 60 and over received gifts.

An Evening of Excellence was conceptualised by Elder Oswald Smith as a community outreach project. The twofold plan is "to reach in the church as well as to reach out of the church for talents", said Smith. It was also Smith's love of good music that led to the emphasis on classical pieces. He explained, "I am a lover of good music. I am concerned about our country losing the taste of good music for the next generation. I see it as my duty to bring about positive and meaningful changes."

Another aspect of the outreach project is to provide aid for charities. This year The Good Samaritan Inn, Jamaica Aids Support and The Women's Centre Foundation will benefit.

Pianist Yanique Leiba-Ebanks during her performance.

Paul Williamson delivers one of his renditions.

Saxophonist Courtney Fadlin plays a sweet song.