COME Sunday, at the Methodist Church in Spanish Town, the Nexus Performing Arts group will feature a Gregory Isaacs Suite at the annual Orville Manning & Chorus musical offering under the theme, Christmas Festival of Joy’.

The acclaimed chorus under the direction of Hugh Douse, will also be performing other musical numbers. Among the items to be performed are: When Thou Tookest’ from the Te Deum by Arthur Sullivan, Rejoice Greatly from the Messiah by Handel and other classical works. There will be the well beloved O Holy Night by Adolph Adams, Spirituals such as Go Tell It On The Mountain, & Mary Had A Baby Boy, Little David Play On Your Harp.

The Jamaican songs will include Barry Chevannes’ version of Ruth & Naomi and To Us A Child Of Royal Birth by tenor Orville Manning, who for past 22 years has been putting this event.

Since 1988, Manning, a grade eight finalist from the Royal School of Music, along with friends, has been entertaining members of his church and the public at large.

Over the years, Manning has been entertaining with sacred classicals, songs in other languages, negro spiriuals, gospel, patriotic songs by contemporary Caribbean composers as well as with material of various distinguished popular Jamaican artistes such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh Junior Reid, and Buju Banton. This year’s promised to be no exception.

Ably assisted by well-known choirmaster, Trevor Beckord who for the past 12 years has been a featured organist; drummer Christopher Morris, pianist Karen Henry and a 31-member chorus.