Students of the St Gabriel's Girls' RC School, San Fernando, received a standing ovation for their excellent performance in the school's annual Christmas concert, last Friday. Entitled Christmas in November, the event which took place at Naparima Bowl, San Fernando, was of such high quality, that the audience applauded their teachers and parents, as well, for their dedication.
The venue was filled to capacity, and patrons were imbued with the Christmas spirit through a series of soca parang hits, local parang medleys, and chutney parang dances.The highlight of the show, however, was the re-enactment of the birth of Jesus Christ.Setting the pace for a wonderful evening was Chelsea Merrick, who opened the show with Celine Dion's The Prayer. Merrick captivated the audience with her sweet, soft, scintillating voice.
Past student and professional opera/soprano singer, Turon Nicolas Roberts, followed with O Holy Night. Sustained applause followed her performance.
When the standard three class took to the stage, dressed in the national colours–red white and black–the crowd seemed even more enthralled, as the little ones delved into a rendition of Black Stalin's We Can Make It if We Try.
And the applause resonated moments later when popular Latin dancer Soleil Bernard stylishly glided across the stage to the beat of parang.But the students of the standard one class were determined not to be outdone.Dressed in their pajamas, the students played games, held hands and hugged each other, as they danced around the Christmas tree while performing Around My Christmas Tree.
Stealing the night and the hearts of everyone who attended the concert, however, were the infants one and two classes.Accompanied by the standard four choir, the tiny tots assumed the roles of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Other cuties were dressed as sheep, cows, goats, and the three wise men, and drew loud applause from the appreciative audience.The re-enactment of the Nativity scene surprised parents, some of whom were moved to tears.
During the second half of the concert, students continued spreading love and joy as they sent their Christmas message through music and drama. The Gabrielites Steel Orchestra, which comprised standard five students, performed a Scrunter medley.One parent, Glenda Caesar, performed a Christmas calypso entitled It's All About Jesus. Caesar reminded the audience that "Christmas is not about the shopping and all the gifts, its about Jesus Christ and the love for family."
Special guests, Point Fortin choir Jeunes Agape, thrilled the audience with Silent Night and Tell Santa Claus.The standard five pupils brought the curtains down on the three hour show with Do You Hear What I Hear, and Machel Montano's Soca Santa.