‘Immaculate’ entertainment at The Distinguished awards
Flair awardees, guests delighted by 54-piece orchestra
Published:Wednesday | April 26, 2023 | 12:56 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
From the minute the musical instruments of the Immaculate Conception High School Symphony Orchestra were being tuned, leading into the rehearsal of Jamaica’s National Anthem, patrons projected that The Distinguished awards gala and dinner would be an evening of class, elegance, and flair.
The Grand Jamaica Suite at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel came alive with the sounds of music on Monday night, as 21 women were honoured for their exemplary leadership, innovativeness and commitment to their sector and by large the Jamaican society. Though the event, which was hosted by Flair, saw a later-than scheduled start time, the guests delighted in signature treats from Sunshine Snacks and Baileys while the budding musicians continued to captivate them with symphonic seeds of curiosity.
“These are the types of opportunities we want our schools to have,” said artist-in-residence and conductor, Steven Woodham, of the setting, noting that, the young instrumentalists “thoroughly enjoyed themselves”.
The 54-piece orchestra, which primarily comprised females from the age of 10, also featured four males from other high schools, cued the start of the gala with the National Anthem, stimulating the first wave of goose pimples on the arms of many. Following the welcome by emcees Dania Beckford and Shannon-Dale Reid, the orchestra returned with a dynamic, hair-raising set which included Serengeti Dreams by Robert W Smith; But The Greatest of These by Douglas Wagner; and Fanrandole by French composer Georges Bizet. Their presentation was not without an encore, and for this Woodham led them in a beautiful delivery of I Pledge My Heart (Jamaican National School Song).
For Woodham, who over the last 30 years has dedicated time to music education, “It is still a huge task to get the students to and from these events, especially because the parents are expecting us to be on time. Overall, the time spent with the guests was pleasant for all of us. We appreciated the responses we also received”.
He added, “To have persons see the discipline from now is important. We run a magnet programme and can trust that these youth are going to be good, distinguished members in society and we want to be able to make events of this nature that make us be proud of who we are. We need to have that sense that we can achieve anything that other countries can.”
The collection of classical music was complemented by the selections of reggae, dancehall, pop and Afrobeats tracks of female acts played by DJ3D. The young director and disc jockey of veteran sound system, Renaissance Disco, also injected a special surprise into his set, but saved the Electric Boogie for the presentation of the Distinguished Pioneer Award in Entertainment to Marcia Griffiths. As persons rose to their feet to congratulate the entertainer, the awards ceremony was transported into a 90s disco party for a few seconds as everyone joined Griffiths in doing the popular shake and slide.
Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly, the Oscar-qualified director of iKon Media Limited and recipient of The Distinguished Award for Entertainment was one who relished in the blend of the classical music and recorded tracks. She also applauded the jazzy crooning of Joby Jay.
She said, “The entertainment was my favourite part. I thoroughly enjoyed the orchestra and the disc jockey was superb. It was toned and delivered to match the purpose of the celebration – of women and their contribution – very dignified. Sure, there is room for improvement, but hats off to the team behind the production of the event. It was my pleasure to a part of the distinguished guestlist and awardees.”
Joby Jay’s performance was delivered in two segments. Prior to the distribution of the awards she loosened up the mood with songs Cool Breeze, Big Girl Ting and Prove It, then warmed hearts with Bare from her recently released Love Levels EP to close the curtains on the well-orchestrated show.
The Distinguished awards gala was sponsored by Mastercard, Scotia Investments, JAM-DEX, Port Authority of Jamaica, S Hotel, ATL Automotive, Sygnus, Grace Foods, Key Insurance, DRT Communications Limited, Dynamic Events, MoBay City Run, Spanish-Jamaican Foundation, Royalton, Baileys, Massy Distribution, Lifespan, Hema Luxe, P.A. Benjamin, Wendy’s, CPJ, Flow, In Good Company, British Caribbean Insurance Company and The Jamaica Pegasus.