“At-ti-tude … at-ti-tude,” Glenmuir High School’s choir director, Dorine O’Connor, stage whispers encouragingly as the choristers file decorously past her on their way to the podium. This seemed to be the password that gave the students the confidence and vibrancy that infused their performance and sent the audience into spontaneous rounds of applause.

It was last Tuesday’s launch of the school’s groundbreaking CD, Spirit of Fire, which was appropriately held at the Top Of The World — the rooftop of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew. With the city light in full view and shining brightly, coupled with the electric flames which were a motif of the decor and the walls elegantly draped in the school colours, the setting was unsurpassed. And the choir rose to the occasion. True to their hallmark of excellence, the choir swept through religious, classical and contemporary melodies as they entertained the gathering, while they themselves clearly were having a great time. The only pity is that there wasn’t a full house to appreciate their efforts.

Many accolades were heaped on the heads of those who made the CD possible and artistic director of the project, Syd Bartley — from the Ministry of Culture — had to do his best to tame his exuberance, as to him was given the role of the evening’s unbiased emcee, stemming from the absence of Judith Bodley.

Among the speakers for the launch was ace producer Mikie Bennett, who had been sent sample tracks during the project to bet his feedback. Bennett commended the production team on a job well done and the fact that almost reclusive producer took time out to attend the function speaks volumes.

Main speaker at the launch was Minister of Culture, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, who was coming straight from Parliament and looking, as one observer commented, “like a movie star”. She promised that her set would be short and the minister kept her promise, sticking to the theme of lauding Glenmuir High School on the making of Spirit of Fire – The burning truth.

An 18-song set (plus one instrumental), the CD Spirit on Fire is an eclectic mix which comprises songs from classic, to reggae to dancehall. Ip opens with Glorious Everlasting, arranged by Thomas Cousins and takes the listener through their own interpretation of songs including the Prayer, Impossible Dream and Redemption Song. The choir also performs a tribute to recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmy Cliff and recognises dancehall on Dancehall Vibrations, a medley sampling songs from Junior Gong, Vegas, Voice Mail and Alison Hinds. Naturally the Glenmuir school song, Semper Flagrans is also included on the set.

Glenmuir is no stranger to triumphs and the trophy table told this story. They have copped several medals at the National Festival of the Performing Arts, staged by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), as well as other community and international awards. In recent times they have toured the Bahamas, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Among those in attendance were the Lord Bishop of Jamaica Alfred Reid and Mrs Reid, representatives from the South African High Commission and the United States Embassy, Clifton ‘Specialist’ Dillon, past student and Rising Stars alum, Jodianne Pantry (who is also part of the project) and Headline Entertainment’s Jerome Hamilton, also a past Student. Yasmine Peru