The Liturgical Commission’s Music Committee hosted three Music Festivals for the archdiocese on three consecutive Sundays in the month of July.

From left: Angela Joseph of the Liturgical Commission, Fr Patrick Brennan, OP, Fr Garfield Rochard and Lorna Louis, chairperson of the Music Committee of the Liturgical Commission, at the Church Music Festival

Combined choir

Germain family and Friends

The Church of the Holy Spirit, Malabar was the venue for choirs of the Eastern Vicariate on July 15. St Theresa’s, Barataria hosted the choirs of the Suburban and Northern Vicariates on July 22, and St Benedict’s, La Romaine was the final venue on Sunday 29 for the Southern and Central Vicariates. More than 35 choirs rendered their choices at the various venues.

Chairperson of the Music Committee, Lorna Louis led the Archdiocesan Choir at all three venues. This Choir handles the music ministry at the Cathedral for special functions.

They presented a reflection of the Church of four hundred years ago, with the Panis Angelicus, in Latin and English. They presented as well the hymn for World Youth Day, Canada 2004, Go Out and Tell – a fitting composition for a Recessional.

All participating choirs in the choice of their presentations were required to advise of the suitable usage of their sacred music.

While the Commission sponsored the festival, one of its objectives was to facilitate proper choice of hymns according to themes, liturgical functions, and suitability for liturgical worship, special services, catechetical teaching, rallies, sacred concerts and spiritual meetings.

More than five choirs presented their own local compositions, while others rendered selections from the Antilles Episcopal Conference Hymnal.

The Music Committee attempted in this Festival to give a boost to local compositions and expose choirs to the facility of listening to other choirs with their unique musical skills.

Gregory Wong Fo Sue organist for the Archdiocesan Choir was ably assisted by emcees, Winston Garcia in the East, Stafford Ransome and Adanna James in Barataria, and Ann Marie Rogers in the South.

Catholic Communication Studios was present to video record the festivals. Audio Works from Arima handled the sound system for Barataria and La Romaine. Clifford Callender from Arima covered the sound system for Malabar.

The Music Committee will be in touch with the choirs and the composers to complete the objectives of the festivals.
 
Participating choirs
Arima 
Barataria
Arouca
Carapichaima
Curepe
El Socorro
Erin
La Horquetta
La Romaine
Malabar
Maloney
Maracas, St Joseph
Mawasi Experience
Mon Repos      
Morvant 
Mount Lambert
People of Praise
Petit Valley      
Princes Town
San Rafael
Santa Cruz 
Siparia
South Orpouche
St Ann’s
St Patrick’s (Traditional)
St Patrick’s (Germain Family & Friends)
Tortuga
Tunapuna