THE highly acclaimed and longest serving choral group in Jamaica, the Diocesan Festival Choir, launches its annual concert season 2011 with a performance at St Luke’s Anglican Church, Cross Roads, this Sunday starting at 5:00 pm.

A second concert will be staged on July 10 at Christ Church, Morant Bay, starting at 4:00 pm.

The featured work at both performances will be the cantata Be Not Afraid with music selected from Felix Mendelssohn and arranged by J Michael Diak. Special selections will also be performed by flautist and bandmaster of the Jamaica Military Band, Albert Shaun Hird, and the St Luke’s sign language choir. The concerts are being presented under the distinguished patronage of the Reverend Alfred Reid, Anglican Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, and Mrs Reid.

Comprising just over 40 members, the ensemble includes several of Jamaica’s most outstanding singers who also perform with other groups such as the National Chorale, the NDTC Singers, Jamaican Folk Singers and the Portmore Chorale.

Once described as “a Jamaican institution dedicated to God’s glory,” the Diocesan Festival Choir has established a strong tradition of excellence. It continues to fulfil its twin objectives of promoting choral music as an art form; as well as furthering the observance and practice of Godly principles in the lives of its members and those to whom it ministers.

Although the choir operates under the auspices of the Anglican Church, its membership includes a cross section of the Christian community. It has a rich repertoire of classical and religious music, including hymns, spirituals, Caribbean compositions and contemporary gospel and the 2011 concert season will provide yet another opportunity to showcase the versatility of its members in today’s changing musical landscape. The choir will perform under the baton of Michael Sutherland who has served as conductor since 2005; and the accompanist is noted musician and choir director Ann Trouth.