DESPITE not getting the massive turnout as in previous years, organisers of This Joyful Eastertide feel the event lived up to its high standard.

The event, hosted by the University Singers, was held at the University Chapel, Mona campus in St Andrew last Sunday.

“It was pretty low compared to what we’ve had in previous years. However, we do understand that there were a number of competing events or interest across the period,” Franklin Halliburton, director of the University Singers, told the Jamaica Observer.

Guests present, however, were treated to outstanding performances from the choir and performers.

“There were a number of highlights. I don’t know if I can single out just one. I was particularly pleased to see one of the youngest members (Shaquore Nicely) in the choir put himself out there to perform. He recently joined the choir but his performance was well executed,” said Halliburton.

“This year, we presented the violinist Kester Reid during the performance of the Méditation. That was a new twist. I tell you this, as small and intimate as the gathering was, we had a French person in the audience, who came up to me, hugged me and thanked me for the inclusion of that piece in light of the recent happenings with the Notre-Dame,” he continued.

Méditation is a symphonic intermezzo from the opera Thaïs by French composer Jules Massenet. The opera premiered at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on March 16, 1894. The medieval Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris was razed on April 15. A fire broke out beneath its roof which caused it to collapse.

The show’s first segment featured renditions of O Praise Ye The Lord, Glorious Is Thy Name by Wolfgang Anadeus Mozart and The Old Hundreth Psalm Tune sung by the congregation, a semi-chorus, and a brief organ solo by Devon Brewster.

Soloists Hanief Lallo, Amba Chevannes, Andre Bernard, Shaquore Nicely and Ranice Barrett thrilled as they belted various hymns that reminded the audience of the true reason for the Easter holidays.

The University Singers also gave a powerful and impassioned performance of He Was Crucified by director, Halliburton.

The second half of the evening’s proceedings saw performances by guest soloist Andrew Knuckle. His smooth baritone set the mood for calm and quiet reflection as he caressed the ears of the his audience with songs such as The Lord Is My Light by Oley Speaks; What A Morning by Mark Hayes, City Called Heaven arranged by Hall Johnson and The Lord’s Prayer by Albert Hay Malotte.

The evening closed on a high note as Andre Bernard engaged the audience in a hand-clapping, foot-stomping performance of a revival medley that featured favourites such as I Am Under The Rock and Something In My Heart. It was the perfect surprise and right way to close the curtains on the 2019 staging of the event.

Audience members were thoroughly entertained.

“The highlight for me was definitely the last performance, it was not even on the programme. I am pretty into revival culture. Overall, the show was pretty awesome, some really lovely pieces,” Darynel Beckford told the Observer.

His sentiments were shared by Kelvin Blaire.

“The show was an interesting show, I really enjoyed it. The highlight moment was definitely the final piece, the revival piece. It was all very entertaining,” he said.

Like most religious holidays, people often times forget the meaning. In light of this, Halliburton charged the audience to never forget the story behind the Easter celebration.

“There is a lot going on in society, a lot of distractions, but I want to send you all off with the true meaning of Easter, that Christ has risen. Let that resonate with you and those that you come in contact with,” he said.