Lions’ Festival of Carols keeps tradition alive

Friday, November 16 saw the 29^th anniversary of the Festival of Carols, an annual event put on by the Lions Club of Port of Spain Central with the Ministry of Education.

The idea of celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, where the emphasis is placed on the traditional Christmas carols needs to be preserved in a special way, as we are in many ways forgetting the ‘Reason for the Season’.

In the midst of being caught up with the commercial aspect of the season, where our children focus on what they are going to get, rather than what they can give, it is wonderful to experience the voices of our primary school children lifted in song, as they call to mind melodies that remind us that this is the time of the year to remember the birth of the Christ Child.

For the past few years, Nicky Crosby has been a phenomenal Master of Ceremonies, with her engaging rapport with both the young and young at heart. She had the audience in stitches as she adds to the wonderful, light-hearted atmosphere this Festival of Carols brings.

The programme began with Moulton Hall Methodist Primary School presenting a wonderful rendition of a medley of Christmas songs of joy. We experienced here the amazing talent of a choir master who combined traditional songs into one performance that was memorable to all who were present.

Belmont Boys’ RC, in their smart Christmas waistcoats, followed with ‘Joy to the World’ and a captivating rendition of ‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’.

They were followed by Belmont Girls’ RC in their fuchsia pink capes and ribbons, who also shone in their performances of ‘Give love on Christmas Day’ and ‘I saw three ships’.

St Crispin’s AC Primary, came on next with a very musical rendition on ‘Go tell it on the mountains’, and ‘The Star’, complete with props and all.

Sacred Heart Girls’ RC in their lovely red robes, and voices, completed the first half with ‘Birthday of a King’ and ‘Feliz Navidad’. We were entertained during the intermission by Goodwill Industries Steel Orchestra, which saw many of the participants and audience join in and dance to the wonderful songs of pan.

The second part of the show featured Sacred Heart Boys’ RC performing ‘Mary did you know’ and a series of parang songs to add a different vibe to the morning’s performances. At the end, some of the participating schools and pre-schools—who were in attendance, came up on stage to perform ‘He come from the Glory’.

After the vote of thanks, the Lions’ members, in traditional fashion came up on stage to sing ‘Let there be peace on Earth’.

Each performing school received a Certificate of Participation, a cheque and a plaque, and of course each participant received a little tea plate, in recognition and appreciation of the time and effort put into preparing for such an event.

I believe that many more schools should take advantage of this golden opportunity to allow their students to perform in events of this nature, and not only competitions, again with the emphasis of giving joy to others, which is what the Christmas Season is all about.—Tonia Leacock-Gooding, attendee