THE observance of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence will impact the repertoire of local song and dance companies in coming months.

For many of these troupes, the landmark anniversary provides a golden opportunity to incorporate aspects

of Jamaica’s history in their performances.

For its season which is currently under way at the Philip Sherlock Centre at the University of the West Indies, the University Singers are presenting a full programme of Jamaican music.

Franklin Halliburton of the ‘Singers’ notes that despite the homegrown flavour of the season, the range of musical styles and genres that have become the choir’s hallmark will be maintained.

The highlight of this year’s repertoire is 1865, an opera based on the Morant Bay rebellion.

For the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), which is also observing its 50th anniversary, their season which runs from July 14-29, is filled with celebration.

The NDTC will remount some of its classic pieces which have not been staged for some time.

Among them are founder Rex Nettleford’s The Crossing and Celebrations, Incantation by Haitian choreographer Jean Tuy Saintous and Sulkari by the Cuban Eduardo Riviera.

The revival of old pieces is also on the cards for Movements Dance Company.

The 31-year-old troupe’s artistic director Monica Campbell notes that her company will be looking at some of its best pieces over the years, along with new creations for this year’s programme.

Although it is not having a season of performances, dance company L’Acadco is definitely infusing Jamaica50 into its performances.

Dr L’Antoinette Stines, the company’s artistic director, says they kicked off celebrations in the United Kingdom a few weeks ago with performances in Birmingham and Leicester.

These performances, she notes, saw the world premiere of the company’s latest piece, Rukumbine, which traces the evolution of Jamaican music from 1962 to the present.

Stines says the UK performances also included Satta, L’Acadco’s signature piece, Chat Bout Dem and L’Antech Meets Reggae, a work set to the music of Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander.

The Jamaican Folk Singers have always paid tribute to Jamaica and its indigenous folk music. This year is no different, according to the group’s musical director Christine MacDonald Nevers.

She notes that the Folk Singers will continue the work of its founder, Dr Olive Lewin, in unearthing and preserving folk music.

The Stella Maris Dance Ensemble also has something commemorative up its sleeves.

Artistic director Dr MoniKa Lawrence says she is working on a piece, choreographed with the Jamaica 50 theme in mind. However, she is tight-lipped about the details of the project.

Dance Theatre Xaymaca (DTX) is also getting into the spirit of Jamaica 50 for its season, which sees them joining forces with dance ensemble Ashe.

While staying away from details, DTX’s Barbara McDaniel says collaborating with Ashe will allow for a richer, more diverse performance.