An Entertaining Concert From Military Band, Friends

In the second half of the two-part concert, the military band went for more genres. From their extensive repertoire of music, they scooped up and continued to tantalise with the modern: the spiritual, Jesus Take the Wheel; pop, a tribute to children in We Are the World; mento, homage to Jamaican folk songs; reggae, the peace song, Bob Marley's One Love; and they closed the fine show with the 'healing' soca - Tiney Winey.

The NYOJ's task was to provide entertainment during intermission. And so they did, by performing in different groups as junior and string orchestras, string quartet, brass quintet and symphonic band. Before the young musicians of primary to secondary ages, showcased their seemingly innate skills on their various instruments, NYOJ director, Ann McNamee, gave background information on the group. She ended by asking for donation to continue the programme, while acknowledging those who have already contributed to the orchestra.

With that matter out of the way, the pre-orchestra commenced their set, during the intermission, with Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee on recorders. Playing mainly violins, both the Junior and string orchestra were on display too, while the Senior String Orchestra gave a fine rendition of Handel's Royal Fireworks Suite. But it was the Rafael Salazar-conducted Symphonic Band's performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classical Phantom of the Opera that caught the attention of the audience. Seated in the bowl shaped space facing the yawning shell shaped stage at the end of the NYOJ's final item, they showed appreciation with a resounding applause.

The next concert is scheduled for the third Sunday in April, 2016.