EHS: Sisserou Singers Choral Legends: Living up to its promise

Editor’s note: The Sixth Form Sisserou Singers promised to put on another “exceptional”  performance for its 19^th production, Choral Legends, which is being staged this weekend.

From the following impressions provided by someone who attended Saturday night’s performance at the Arawak, it would appear that the group has lived up to its promise.

I missed part of the first segment of the show but what I saw was enough to convince me that Sisserou Singers had once again lived up to the high expectations of their fans.

I walked in on their performance of the Bill Withers classic, Lean on Me and was pleasantly surprised by Aldayne Green’s initial smooth and emotive vocal performance though I felt he lost energy later on in the song or perhaps he fell short only in comparison to Michele Henderson, who joined Green to add her usual magnificent touch to the rendition.

Section 1B was rung in by “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, an american classic and suitably influential and legendary musical in its own right. Daria Sorhaindo’s performance was not within her usual style, which made her rendition that more impressive. Her  powerful expression and the soulful force of her voice seemed a contrast to the usual pristine vocal style that she may be more commonly known for.

The section was rounded off by choral selections from Les Miserables -iconic songs from an iconic musical, delivered effectively by the choir and enhanced by highly competent solos from Kareem Bertrand and Colette Ambo.

Your Song by Elton John would be an old favourite for many – a nostalgic love song that was part of a trio of romantic songs that completed section 1B. The other two songs were the pop song, I’m Yours by Jason Mraz with convincing solos by Okan Lafleur and Golda Scotland-Andrew and old favourite Rock the Boat by Wally Holmes and arranged by Greg Gilpin.

Section 1C saw crowd favourites in Unarmed But Dangerous written by Pat Aaron, originally performed by Hurricane, brought to new heights through Tasha Peltier’s exceptional vocal abilities. Socially conscious Humble Servant by Norman “De Ency” Cyrille delivered by Shanice Langford and Corlene Letang and Dominican pride-swelling One Flag written by Patrick John and made famous by Derrick “De Hunter” St. Rose closed off the calypso section.

The nostalgia-inducing Folk section was done in its usual vibrant, colour-filled and colourful characterization. The masterful story and song weaving of traditional Caribbean pieces did not fail to excite the crowd with its range of highs and lows, tragedy and comedy and ultimately(perhaps most importantly), the triumph of adversity through determination and hard work.

Social messages were interwoven throughout, some subtle (yet still with style and flair) and others more boldly stated with noted approval from the crowd. The monologues by each of the Sisserou singers helped to keep the weightier messages imbued in this section, entertaining. Their dramatic lines eliciting from the crowd, surprise, laughter, shock, compassion, warmth and empathetic moral reaction as appropriately and often as intended from this socially conscious, conscience-building tale. Highlights of this section included the bele pitche and bel sote by cultural dance icons Mikael Ferrol and Adriana Henderson with Leandra Lander and Trio Tracy Peltier, Jemina Bernard and Shanice Langford in the role of chantwel. Also remarkable was the creative presentation and interweaving of names of local musical and performing artistes into one particular scene of the story.

While there could have been some improvement with regard to miking and sound, this does not appear to have detracted from the audience’s overall enjoyment of the show.

A truly enjoyable show.

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