Andrew Marshall the headliner as ‘Classics in June’ goes hybrid on Father’s Day
Published:Thursday | June 9, 2022 | 12:10 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
In celebration of its 60th anniversary this year, the Soroptimist International of Jamaica, Kingston Club, will stage a special ‘Classics in June’ showcase on June 16, under the patronage of Ambassador of France to Jamaica Olivier Guyonvarch and Madame Boulie Guyonvarch.
Planning committee member Dr Carroll Edwards is delighted that the return to face-to-face for the annual charity concert will herald a twin celebration of the club’s anniversary, as well as Jamaica’s diamond jubilee. She explained that this year’s concert would be a hybrid event, following the virtual concert staged last year.
“Our last in-person concert was in 2019. Last year, we did it virtually, and it was reasonably well supported. But this year, it seems like things are going back to normal, and we do want persons to come out and enjoy themselves at the Church of the Ascension in Mona on Father’s Day. Of course, COVID protocols will still be in place,” Edwards told The Gleaner. “For those who live abroad or who just prefer that option, a live stream will be available, and just like last year, we have decided that we will leave it up for a while so that persons can enjoy it after the actual day.”
Edwards noted that since it is also the year of Jamaica 60, the focus will be on songs that “have some Jamaican connection”. However, she didn’t reveal the details. She spoke glowingly of the line-up, which includes featured performer Dr Andrew Marshall; renowned violinist and recipient of a 2021 Gold Musgrave Medal, Steven Woodham, on viola; Dwight A. McBean, organist; Laurice Barnaby, flute; Christopher Cox, trumpet; Mickel Gordon, piano and voice; Yanique Leiba-Ebanks, piano; mezzo-soprano Christine MacDonald-Nevers; classical guitarist Shawn Richards; Gabriel Walters, violinist and founder of Accel String Quartet, and Santorini Degli Archangeli, tenor.
“Classics in June is always one of the high-standard events, and coming from overseas this year is Andrew Marshall, who is Jamaican and is currently the choir director at the Winsor School in Boston and founder and director of the Jamaica Choral Scholars Festival. We are happy to have him and all the performers who will appear at this year’s concert,” Edwards shared.
According to his bio, Marshall received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, a Master of Music degree from Westminster Choir College of Rider University (Princeton, New Jersey), and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma. As a composer, Marshall has written and arranged music extensively for vocal and instrumental forces. Among his portfolio are four symphonies, large-scale choral pieces, and various shorter works.
He recently completed projects include the composition A Bad Case of Kids, a work commissioned by mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, and the virtual staging of his Jamaican oratorio on the Apostle Paul. Marshall was also the featured composer and guest of the Norman Philharmonic in Norman, Oklahoma, in January 2022. His work has also been commissioned and performed by ensembles, including the Jamaica Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jamaica, the Jamaica Military Band, Norman Philharmonic, the Jamaica Youth Chorale, and the University of Oklahoma Chorale.
The Classics in June 2022 concert will take place at the Church of the Ascension in Mona, St Andrew, on Sunday, June 19, beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets for patrons attending the concert on-site will be available at special outlets and at the gate. For those who wish to view the concert online, virtual tickets may be purchased through the concert’s website.
Proceeds from Classics in June will support the club’s outreach initiatives at the Shortwood United Church Early Childhood Development Centre, Reddie’s Children’s Home, as well as other Soroptimist charities to empower women and girls.