Northern Caribbean University (NCU) once more put on stage a rich tapestry of musical talents at the 42nd staging of Feast of Lights held on its Mandeville Campus on Saturday. The musical treat titled Excerpts from the Messiah featured the New England Youth Orchestra, an internationally renowned group from Washington Adventist University in the United States.

The event opened with the West Indies College Preparatory School Choir’s All Hail King Jesus medley, a performance that whet the appetite of the audience.

Victor Dixon High School Choir followed with a favourite, Mary, Did you know? while Kingdom Praise, Inspirational Choir and Shahaye delivered renditions of The First Noel, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

The programme morphed into even more celestial servings when the New England Youth Orchestra joined the voices of the NCU Concert Choir to perform Sing Noel, much to the delight of the audience.

The collaboration continued with the deliveries of Comfort Ye, And the Glory of the Lord, by Garth Robinson, tenor and Behold A Virgin Shall Conceive and For Unto to us a Child is Born by Antonna Douglas, alto. The onslaught of classical music followed as the rich sounds of violins, cellos, double basses, flutes and clarinets courtesy of the New England Youth Orchestra all blended enchantingly for the Pastorale Symphony.

The sopranos — Deon Jongue, Sadiki Burton, Petal Richards, Deceya Hanson and Glenda Anderson — along with the New England Youth Orchestra illuminated the stage with songs such as There Were Shepherds Abiding in the Fields, And lo! The Angel said unto them and Rejoice Greatly. The variety of the programme became more apparent when the NCU Steel Band served up a dynamic performance of the classics, Eastern Standard Time and The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy adding some Caribbean flavour to the evening.

Director and conductor of the New England Youth Orchestra, Dr Virginia Gene Rittenhouse, expressed that the group was thrilled to be performing at the prestigious event. She added, “It is indeed a privilege for us to share in Feast of Lights. NCU has a rich resource of musical talent and continues to be an inspiration to many. We are happy that we have been blessed with an opportunity to share our God given talents with you.”

All voices swelled for the performance of Hallelujah, viewed as the icing on the cake for many.

Dr Eurydice Osterman, Chair of the Department of Music at NCU was pleased with another successful staging of the event. She commented,” the planning and execution of the 2010 Feast of Lights has resulted in a production that is magnificent and superb.” She added that each year’s production will supersede previous years.