| Emerald Community Singers 1971-1986 |
Together we aspire,
together we strive,
together we attain
The Emerald Community Singers 1971-1986 was initiated on September 15, 1971, by J A George Irish at the University Centre of the University of the West Indies in Dagenham, Plymouth, Montserrat. It started rehearsals twice weekly (Sundays and Wednesdays) and went public by December 15, with its first Annual Christmas Concert with a varied repertoire of carols, folk songs, gospel and classical renditions.
The choir sustained a high rehearsal and performance routine that included weekly appearances at the historic Vue Pointe Hotel, special school and village performances, festival apperances in Montserrat, Guyana, Barbados, Cuba, Cartagena / Colombia, as well as international tours to Trinidad, St Lucia, Antigua, St Kitts, Nevis, St Croix, St Thomas, St Maarten.
Its members participated in local folklore research that unearthed a wealth of local and sub-regional folk songs, folk dances, folk tales, folk speech, folk remedies and superstitions, out of which grew several Alliouagana publications and folk recordings such as the long playing Folk Creations (1973) and Folk Pulse of the Leewards (1974).
The group collaborated with local school and church choirs to promote a vibrant musical environment and a cultivated taste for musical appreciation islandwide. Among them: Montserrat Secondary School choir directed by Edith Bellot; Methodist Church choirs led by Manelva Greenaway, Evelyn Dyett and Lenroy Cabey; Anglican choirs led by Carey Thompson, Alfreda Meade, Sarah Allen and Sylvia Fenton; Pentecostal choirs led by Blondina Howes and Ann Marie Dewar: and the Seventh Day Adventist choir led by Nurse Joseph.
Original members of the choir were: Edith Bellot, Veronica Hickson, Jean Hodge, Isabelle Greenaway, Veronica Lee, Florence Skerritt (Sopranos); Manelva Greenaway, Dorothy Greenaway, Irene Bramble, Claudia Roach, Blondina Howes, Jean Lee, Teresina Bodkin (Altos); Carey Thompson, George Harper, Vernon Buffonge, Norman Buffonge, Howard Fergus (Tenors); Gus White, Phillip Bailey, John Daniel (Bass); George Allen, George Harper, Ronnie Cooper, Spencer Perkins, Wingrove White, and Donald Douglas (Strings); Joseph Jackman, William Peters, Teresina Bodkin (Drums); Willie Kinnie O'Garro, Carlton O'Garro (Percussion).
Additional vocalists over the years: Diane Irish, Mary Allen, Sarah Allen, Glynis Hunter, Eleanor Roach, Edith Roach, Debbie Trusted, Rachel Collis, C. Vernie Barnes, E.Beatrice Fenton, Muriel Roach, Laurine Fenton, Florence Fenton, Kenneth Kirwan, Selwyn Ragoonanan, Eddie Osborne, Raymond Morson, Errol Irish, Desmond Peters, James Lewis and Sylvester Daley. New instrumentalists were: Keith Thomas and Harford Bramble (Strings).
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ECS REGIONAL TOURS
ECS members fondly recall the cultural exchanges with Nevis and its Annual Culturama led by persons like Calvin Howell, Lyra Richards, Betty and Cynthia Hull, the Hanleys and many others; we can never forget our multiple visits to St Kitts and especially the historic visit
made at the personal invitation of the Hon Robert Bradshaw, Prime Minister, who arranged chartered flights for the group and graciously hosted us as guests of his government.
Equally gratifying was the overwhelmingly appreciative response from the audiences in both St Kitts and Nevis during the seventies. This was reminiscent of the inter-school sports exchanges of 1958-1961 which allowed students from the three islands to meet annually for athletics, netball, cricket and football. Lifelong friendships were made with fascinating personalities like Steve and Chloesta Claxton, Tony Ross, Eustace Molyneux, Jerome Sebastian, Wycliffe Baird, Bailey, Hobson, Dennis Byron, Bill and Sam Bramble, Julie and Stephanie Woodley, Greta Maynard, Sylvia Huggins, Glenneva Adams, Cynthia Adams, Clarita Richards, the Bridgewater sisters, Yvonne Manchester, Greta Seaton, Patricia Herbert, Sylvia Lewis, Alfredine Smith, Sylvia Williams, et al.
In Trinidad, a joint concert was staged with La Petite Musicale; in St Lucia, the group was jointly hosted by the UWI Extra Mural Centre under Patricia Charles and Joyce Auguiste's folk choir, Hewanorra Voices. the Barbados tour was arranged by Carey Thompson and the St George's Anglican Choir.
The choir played a central role in the Montserrat delegation to Carifesta in Guyana (1972), Cuba (1974), and Barbados (1981). In Guyana, members of the choir staged the dramatic production of Vincent Browne's Big Business: Irene Bramble, Claudia Roach, Ronnie Cooper, Phillip Bailey and William O'Garro.
In Cartagena, Colombia, the group shared the stage with the Soca King of Montserrat and the Caribbean, Alphonsus Cassell, The Mighty Arrow and his electrifying musicians.
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FIRST CARIFESTA DELEGATION, GUYANA
August 15 – September 15, 1972
Emerald Community Singers 1971-86 and the Montserrat Theatre Group
Production #1: “Big Business”
Written by: Vincent B Browne
Director: Gus White; Producer : George Irish
CAST:
Bobo: William Ogarro Jo: Ronnie Cooper
Maria: Irene Bramble Parson: Phillip Bailey
Maisie: Claudia James Doctor: John Daniel
Production #2: “Is a Montserrat Affair”
Written by : Dorcas White
Directed by: George Irish
CAST:
Mas Jo: Gus White Miss Betty: Edith Bellot
Tin Tin: Jean Lee/Terry Bodkin
Alec: George Irish Vendors: Dorothy Greenway
Jean Hodge, Isabelle Greenaway,
Veronica Hickson
Lone Musicker: Bystanders: V Lee/D Greenway
A Cassell/V Buffonge
Hippie: Phillip Bailey Sam: Carey Thompson
Joe’s sons: J Daniel, S Perkins/R Cooper
Customers: I Bramble, C James, P Bailey, F Skerritt, M Griffin/R Allen.
Girl help: Florence Skerritt
Neighbours, Friends, Masquerades, Musicker: Reginald Ryan (Captain),
J Frederick (Mate), W O’Garro, D Molyneux, J Farrell,
Eric Farrell, L Fenton, R Meade, V Barzey, O Carty, C Martin,
S Aymer, J White.
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EMERALD COMMUNITY SINGERS (ECS) RECORDINGS
Folk Creations Folk Pulse of the Leewards
Bam-chick-a-lay Black Child's Prayer
Ben Dyer Buddy Tom
Carib Isle Bull Dog
Hush Mamma Baby Coolie man
Market Day Medley Cost o' livin' too high
Neddy Fan Me Charlie Man
Oh Montserrat Glory Day/Roaring Lion
Telecumma Good marnin'
Xmas Joy Jestina
Xmas Week Man a bite
Me Yallah
Navi Zung
Paddle me own canoe
Notes:
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