Annual cantata: four decades of classical music presentation
THE WILLIAM Knibb Baptist Church has engaged in the rich tradition of presenting the annual Easter Cantata since 1977 under the direction of choirmaster, the indomitable Millard Tracey (the Maestro).
For 40 years, Tracey has directed voices combined from the William Knibb Baptist Church; the St Peter’s Anglican Church; the Methodist Church; the United Church, nondenominational; and the William Knibb Memorial High School choir, making it a grand affair.
Students from the William Knibb Memorial High School were trained and certified by the Royal School of Music in voice and theory up to the grade six level. This year saw the performance of Sasha-Kay Scarlett performing three piano solo pieces – ‘Moody Prawn Blues’, ‘Allegro’ and ‘The Old Cuckoo Clock’.
Throughout the 40 years of blending melodious voices, the combined choir has lost some of the voices through migration and has made monetary contributions to various activities in the church. Funds from the cantata have contributed to the purchase of a Viscount Prestige II Organ, uniforms for the choristers, contributions to the building fund, the church ceiling, and the purchase of hymnals.
Cantata presentations over the four decades:
The Scene on Calvary, the Wondrous Passion, Alive by Fred W. Peace Alive by Joe E. Parks The Borrowed Tomb by David T. Clydesdale
Several choral works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven
Choir director Millard Tracey is passionate about music and is trained in classical music and has presented Bach, Beethoven, and symphonies by Handel.
MUSICAL MILESTONE
The Viscount Prestige II Organ was delivered to the church on Friday, December 20, 2002, and installed on Saturday, December 21, 2002. It was dedicated in the sanctuary on Sunday, February 23, 2003.