Newsletter Dec 2010 - Seales School of Music & Performing Arts

Seales School of Music Voice
Of Austria concert December
5th, 2010.1st half.

The Seales School of Music presented a student workshop concert held on December 5th at the Grenada Boys Secondary School which featured Elisabeth Wolfbauer, mezzo- soprano and Charles Brunner, piano. This concert was indeed a spectacular display of talent and cultural understanding put on by the Seales School of Music in conjunction with the Austrian consulate in Grenada.

Esteemed presenter and MC Ms. Sherma Wells.

This concert was centered around the students who had participated in a 2-week voice training workshop with Ms. Wolfbauer. During the workshop, students had the opportunity to develop their singing technique and as well as showcase their
new and improved skills.

Certificates of recognition were awarded to a few persons who had devoted their time and effort to make this event possible and successful. Crafted straw hats were given as a token of our appreciation symbolizing the ability to be fly and soar to new heights and achievements in their future endevours.

Charles Brunner, pianist, accepting his straw hat.

This was followed by a remarkable and unforgettable mixed composition of No Woman No Cry by Bob Marley with Con tepartirò by Andrea Bocelli performed by Barracuda on his guitar.

Barracuda on guitar.

Additionally the voice training students shared a number of inspirational and beautiful pieces, including both choral and solo works.The first choral piece, Maria Durcheindornwaldging (a 17th century German traditional song) was followed by Ms.Roukell Thornhill singing her own lyrics to Jesus I love you.

The audience continued to be blessed with performances of For Every Mountain done in harmony by Ms.Neisha Stewart and Ms. Ruth Dottin, Awesome God powerfully performed by Ms. Sharon Williams and choir.

Seales School of Music Voice
Of Austria concert December
5th, 2010.2nd half.

The concert got better and better as Ms. Danielle Sirek sang three songs by Clara Schumann: Mein Stern, Er ist gekommen inin Sturm und Regen and Liebst du um Schönheit.There was a stillness in the atmosphere as the audience listened attentively to the message conveyed.

All eyes were on Ms.Sirek throughout her rendition because no one wanted to miss anything. Her exhilarating performance was like nourishment to the soul. Another marvelous song performed by Ms.Sirek was La Zingara, composed by Nicola D’Arienzo.

Following this was the trio Soave sia il vento from Mozart’s opera Cosi fan tutte by Ms.Danielle Sirek, Ms.Philomena La Qua and Mr. Randal Robinson The first half of the concert concluded with the choir singing Joy to the World.

We were then graced with the esteemed presence of Ms.Elisabeth Wolfbauer, mezzo soprano all the way from Vienna, Austria.

Ms. Elisabeth performed some of the most beautiful and inspiring pieces ever created. First was behold, a virgin shall conceive..O thou that tellest from Messiah composed by Georg Friedrich Handel, second Expectans from Oratorio de Noel by Richard Wagner. Thirdly, Der Engel by Richard Wagner. Fourthly, Va! Laisser couler mes larmes from Werher. Fifth La ci darem from Don Giovanni, accompanied with Mr. Randal Robinson - who was the event manger of the Voice Training Workshop and concert altogether and did a great job at it.

She performed many more excellent and breathtaking renditions too much to mention.

The show kicked off with the Grenadian and Austrian national anthems skillfully played by renowned saxophonist Paul Alexander accompanied by Andre Greenidge on the steelpan.

Panist Andre Greenidge(left) with saxophonist
Paul Alexander (right)

The program started off with a heartfelt rendition of The Sky is Crying by Dr. John Swartz. The blues piece reverberated through the hearts of the people as they sat in awe of the performance. In the end, the hallway was filled with applause as the audience showed admiration for this exceptional showcase of talent.

The audience was then graced with piano performances by three piano students from Seales School of Music. Ms.Ama Redhead played The Way You Are composed by Bruno Mars, Mr.Kennedy Moragn played the popular song Let it be originally written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and Sunshine of my Life played by Ms. Renisha Pivott was composed by Stevie Wonder.

It was the beginning of a whole new world of well known pieces coming alive in ways never heard of or imagined. The audience was yet again overwhelmed while others became tearful in their seats by the performances of Trust and Obey sung by Rochelle Harris and I almost let go by Ms.Judy Fraser.

The concert continued with Mr.Valdon Boldeau’s composition Praise Him, which was spectacularly done, the audience marveled at his creativity and words of wisdom, changing the atmosphere in the auditorium to one of appreciation and adoration of our Lord Saviour.

Ms.Philomena La Qua added another spark to the evening’s fiery performances with the aria Vissi d’arte from Puccini’s opera Tosca.

Nella Fantasia, composed by Ennio Morricone, was yet another unforgettable song performed by Mr.Randal Robinson

His strong performance echoed through the walls of the auditorium and vibrated into the audiences body’s. They were astonished at this strong yet excellent talent exhibited. The vast majority of the audience had compared this performance to the famous movie’ The Sound of Music’.

The delicious and unknown Austrian foods filled the room with its sweet aroma stimulating the appetite of the sitting audience to hunger. To the Grenadian audience this was a new adventure and experienced of cultural integration of the different ethnic foods and customs presented and shared.

Some of the Austrian foods shared were Goulash, Wiener Schnitzel, Austrian cookies, Strudel, Sachertorte, Apple Strudel, Vienna Gulasch, Tafelspitz and many more interesting dishes. Which were accepted speedily by us all.

At the end Ms.Elisabeth Wolfbauer and Mr.Brunner were
Thanked as they have traveled to Grenada to make this Voice training workshop and concert possible and successful.