KINGSTON College Chapel Choir (KCCC) was back in full colours for the Yuletide with the mounting of their recent Christmas concert.

After being forced to host virtual stagings for the last two years — due to the novel coronavirus pandemic — the choir once again was able to pack the University Chapel venue with music lovers.

The main work was Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cantata 142, highlighting one recitative, three arias, and three choruses.

What the cantata may be considered missing in length, it surely made up for in the richness and variety of the score.

Soloists Joshua Swaby, alto; Peter Dawes, tenor; and Kyle Bailey, bass, all gave creditable performances.

The more contemporary part of the programme featured arrangements by John Ness Beck and David Willcocks, along with local composers Noel Dexter and Andrew Marshall.

The audience responded appropriately with grateful applause after many of the selections.

There was also the familiar feature of community singing, the numbers among which included a rather rousing rendition of Hark! The herald angels sing.

Choir Director Audley Davidson would have much of which to be proud. This year he tried to incorporate the use of tracks to accompany the choir despite the host of competent musicians on hand, among them Gay Magnus on steel pan, Ann McNamee, organ; Livingston Burnett, piano; and a small orchestra of violinists, cellist, flautist, and timpanist.

All did not fare so well, though, with the ‘technology’ which proved a star in the crown of the choir. When the tracks failed, choirmaster Davidson took a seat at the piano and then organ to accompany the singers who put on quite a show of their level of training and preparation. The applause was thunderous.

Still, the a cappella pieces of He is Born (Robert Wagner) and The Infant King (Willcocks) produced sweet tones and blends from the four-part ensemble.

The evening’s honoree, US Ambassador to Jamaica N Nick Perry, himself a former chorister, expressed his love for the college and particularly his days among the purple robes. KCCC management committee chair Dr Robert Wan expressed sincere appreciation for his active support for the choir and its ministry.

Bringing well wishes was archbishop of the West Indies and Lord Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands Howard Gregory, who praised the maintaining of the traditions of the 75-year-old choir and encouraged them to “never yield”.

The award-winning choir was founded in 1947 and is one of the oldest choirs in the island.

Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of young Kai’Den Evering, dubbed future Fortis man, who, though still in primary school, attended all rehearsals with his brother Kijani and learned the music so well he was invited to sing with the choir. He proudly wore the colours.

The grand Merry Christmas Mozart by Jay Althouse brought the house down and the evening to a close. Appreciation flowed.

The legacy that is the KCCC is in sage hands.

— MAT