Friday, 23 January 2026

The National Chorale of Jamaica Season Is Here Again

The Chapel at the University of the West Indies, Mona, will resound with the rich voice of renowned contralto Christine MacDonald when she appears as a featured soloist at the concert opening the National Chorale of Jamaica’s (NCOJ) 2026 season.

The recital, scheduled for Sunday, February 8, at 6:00 p.m., will take place under the distinguished patronage of The Most Hon. Sir Kenneth Hall, ON, GCMG, OJ, former Governor-General of Jamaica, and Lady Rheima Hall.

The concert’s central focus will be the rediscovery and celebration of the music of Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, with particular emphasis on his acclaimed cantata Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast, alongside other works inspired by themes of love.

The National Chorale of Jamaica (NCOJ) was founded in 1972 by the late Carl Jeffery Fairweather. The official launch concert was held in April 1972 at Devon House in Kingston. The main work performed was 'Christ Lag in Todesbanden,' BWV 4 by J.S. Bach. The Chorale had an accompanying Orchestra made up of local instrumentalists led by Dennis Brown, former principal of the Jamaica School of Music. The second half of the concert was a mixture of Madrigals, Italian canzonettas, show music, and negro spirituals, with accompanist Besta Burgher. The concert took place on the steps of the majestic Devon House, before an audience of approximately 1000 persons, seated on the lawns. 

The Mission of the Chorale

The Chorale's mission has always been 

  • To bridge the gap in musical presentations in Jamaica by presenting programmes which include the widest variety of music which has found a place in the musical literature of the country over the years.  
  • To promote the development of young musicians through their inclusion in concerts and by the provision of scholarships

Two Main Seasons 

The Chorale performs two main seasons annually. They are Summer Breeze and the November Season.

Note:
Enter to win discounted tickets, and you could end up getting your ticket for JAD1,000 less.





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1 comment:

  1. Wow this is awesome, how could we forget this awesome choir, just recently I thought of Jeffery what a gifted person he was! I had the great opportunity of being a part of the Alpart Choraliers when he worked at Alpart and formed this Choir, Maurice Gordon who also worked there was also a part of that Choir so too was Keith Brown former Public Relations Manager of Alpart. Jeff and Maurice were great musicians and we were blessed by their work. The Alpart Choraliers made an indelible impact on all who heard us thru the many concerts throughout St. Elizabeth and Manchester. We also participated at the national level in the Festival competition, we were a force to reckon with!

    RIP Jeffery, your work lives on.

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