THE Jamaica Youth Chorale (JYC) concert at the University Chapel, Mona campus in St Andrew ended on a swinging note on Sunday with Nyah Meditation No 2 featuring Buju Banton and Dr Olive Lewin’s works. The piece was arranged by JYC founder/director Gregory Simms.

Under the theme Ancestor Voices, the chorale — after the slow haunting start with I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me — began to come alive in the section The Crossing: A New World with soloist Adaiah Rhooms’ excellent performance of I Had A Vision, arranged by Dr Kathy Brown.

Among the concert’s highlights were Our Father (The Lord’s Prayer), arranged by Dr Brown; and the Hanif Lawrence-arranged Steal Away in homage to Ayala Bennett, the late member of the JYC.

Soloist Shaquille Wilson’s presentation brought dimension to the timeless Negro Spiritual.

The musical package’s second-half opened with the lively Freedom Suite by Dr Brown. The chapel was enlivened with other spirited presentations such as Psalm 136 with Hallelujah by soloist Alecia Forbes, then the Gregory Simms-arranged Wrong Train, the most amusing item led by soloist Ricardo McKenzie.

The lively scores marked closing phase of the concert with On Dat Great Day, Me Alone, Mourning of the Exiles in Babylon, Jamaica by His Voice and Hand written by Andrew Brodber with music by Simms, who had the audience’s participation.

It was time for the finale with Nyah Meditation No 2. Accompanied by Nyahbinghi style drumming, it was a medley of traditional spirituals like I Want to Home to That Land, Wings of Dove, culminating with Can’t Go to Zion with A Carnal Mind, Til I’m Laid To Rest, Africa We Go Home, and Holy Mount Zion.