Many years ago, in the schools and communities in Anguilla, and across the rest of the Christian world, the Christmas carol There’s A Song In the Air was one of the popular tunes heralding in the joyous season. Today, despite the variations in music and tunes, that beautiful song still has its popular place in the Yuletide. In fact, it is the central theme of all other carols, songs, messages and symbols of Christmas, speaking about the birth of the Christ Child and Redeemer of Mankind, in a manager in ancient Bethlehem. (See text of song elsewhere in The Anguillian).

Professor Lennox Vanterpool Directing St. Augustine’s Chorale

Over the past two weeks, in the approach to the observance of Christmas on Thursday, December 25, there has been much activity in schools, community and churches in celebration of the religious and festive season. One of the last two observances in Anguilla has been the presentation of The Heart of Christmas on Sunday, December 21, by the well-respected St. Augustine’s Chorale mainly comprising singers from the Anglican Church at East End, as well as from other Churches.

Mrs Margaret Augustus directing Youth Chorale

The Chorale is an adult Choir and there is also a Children’s Choir and together they attract large audiences at the first and repeat presentations. The next of the last two Christmas events was A Production of Music and Drama under the general theme Emmanuel…God With Us. It was a stirring presentation at the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church on December 19. (The separate story appears elsewhere in The Anguillian).

Applause by section of congregation

The St. Augustine’s Chorale, which in the past has performed outside the island in Easter and Christmas Cantatas, is under the direction of Professor Lennox Vanterpool, an accomplished university-trained musician and Music Teacher. He generally appears with Kimba Carty-Southwell, a colleague of the profession who joined him at the St. Augustine’s Chorale presentation.

Sections of the appreciative congregation

The programme commenced with the well-known tune Emmanuel with the rest of the programme as follows: King of Eternity with Calvin Harrigan as tenor leader; I will be Your Servant with Chrispen Gumbs and Sandra as tenor and soprano leaders; So Much God by St. Augustine’s Liturgical Dancers; Born in Bethlehem by the Children’s Choir; New Kid in Town with Delvin Fleming as tenor leader; Love Came Gently by the Children’s Choir; Call Him Jesus by St. Augustine’s Liturgical Dancers; The Heart of Christmas by Tameika as lead soprano singer; I Choose Jesus led by bass singer James Harrigan; and Till We Remember with Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch as mezzo soprano, followed by the grand finale.

Section of the appreciative congregation

The well-received programme ended with words of commendation and the Benediction by Assistant Priest, Reverend Menes Hodge.

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