'Christmas Echoes' the need to renovate

Japanese pianist Tomoko Tanaka, and Jamaica's Jodi Ho Lung, soprano, accompanied on piano by Dr Carol Ball, are set to thrill the audience in concert, with 'Christmas Echoes' today at the Institute of Jamaica's (IOJ's) Lecture Hall, starting at 11 a.m.

The show will be presented under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency Steve Hallihan, High Commissioner of Canada and Mrs Cathy Hallihan, and is an initiative of the IOJ, to support the fund-raising efforts of The Ward Theatre Foundation. The foundation will be using the proceeds to aid in the restoration project under way at the Ward Theatre.

Tanaka will perform an array of classical pieces, including Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and Chopin's Nosturne Op 9-2 and Fantaisie Impromptu.

delightful voice

While Ho Lung will lend her delightful voice to such pieces as Panis Angelicus by Cesar Auguste Franck, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again by Andrew Lloyd Webber, I Could Have Danced All Night by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner , Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, and O Holy Night, by Adolphe-Charles Adam.

Tomoko taught the piano in Honduras, Ecuador, Japan and Jamaica, gaining popularity at the welcome concert for the president of Honduras in 2002. She has also performed with the National Symphonic Orchestra of Honduras, at the friendship concert celebrating 90 years of partnership between Ecuador and Japan in 2008, and at the International Chamber Music soiree by IPP and Music Unites in Jamaica in 2010.

HoLung is a longstanding member of the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company and has had lead roles in productions such as the Wizard of Oz, Grease, Camelot and The Fantasticks. She has also performed with the Cathi Levy Players and Father Ho Lung and Friends.

rare gift

Carol Ball is a renowned Jamaican musician with the rare gift of 'pitch', who has received acclaim at home and abroad. She had the distinction of leading the University Singers for several successful concert seasons while she was a medical student, and continues to excite her audience.

The show costs $1,500 and promises to be a special treat. Patrons can access the IOJ's Lecture Hall from the Tower Street entrance.