Scotia Singers ring in Christmas season at Emancipation Park concert
Published:Thursday | December 17, 2015 | 12:00 AM
It could have been any evening in the park. Groups of fitness buffs working out, children running around and enjoying the open space, photographers milling about.
Except on this particular evening, there where many more people gathered to celebrate the start of the Christmas season with the Scotia Singers at its free concert in Emancipation Park.
There was standing room only as hundreds turned out be part of an event that has been a staple of the season for the past 19 years.
Even those involved in other activities took the time to enjoy the beautiful music and sing along as the choir belted out song after song at Christmas in any Language.
French, Spanish, Korean and a whole segment dedicated to African songs were performed.
Songs included Sing Noel - South African; EluAgogo/Ago go Christmas and Jesu Yi o, both Nigerian; and A la Nanita Nana, a Christmas lullaby in Spanish.
There was dancing, instrumental pieces, and a beautiful message delivered by Swallowfield Chapel's Pastor David Henry.
It was a joyful and engaging event - a true open-air music festival with a fabulously decorated backdrop, and further brought to life by the swirl of coloured LED lights that enhanced the ambience.
The singers mesmerised with their beautiful sounds, but it was when the Jamaican carols began that the audience really got rocking.
Never a Baby Like Jesus started it off, followed by a Jamaican version of Away in a Manger, with a reggae beat that electrified the audience as the singers filled the air with melody while doing a stylised version of ska.
A special presentation of $350,000 was made by the Scotia Foundation to the Wortley Home for Girls as part of Scotiabank's contribution towards the rebuilding process after a fire earlier this year.
The programme ended on a high with the Scotia Singers presenting an excellent rendition of Gloria in Excelsis Deo.
The guests were then invited to join Jacqueline Sharp, president and CEO of Scotia Group, as she opened Mary's House, a typical old-time country house that will house numerous Christmas activities through to Christmas Eve.