THE CLARINET manned by Rafael Salazar and the saxophone controlled by Nicholas Laraque delighted the gathering at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, on Friday night. The two, who played separately, were the final performers of the Holy Childhood Awards Gala.
Co-ordinated by the school's Parent-Teacher Association, the awards gala was organised to wine, dine and serenade five persons who had retired from the institution's staff.
Friday night's gala was hosted by a past student, Paula-Ann Porter. Combined, the five honourees had given 144 years of service to the Skibo Avenue Catholic School for Girls. The five being honoured were Jacqueline Dyce (business); Edna Jones (biology); Melva King (English language and literature); Valorie Hewitt (chemistry) and Valorie Cameron (administrative assistant).
SHORT AND SPICY
Along with a four-course meal, the honourees and guests were treated to music of which Laraque and Salazar were a part. All the performances were kept short, and while the performers were all competent, Salazar and Laraque towered above the others.
Laraque delivered Loving You and Great Is Thy Faithfulness. After Great Is Thy Faithfulness, a brief moment of awed silence filled the room while the final note died away. The space was quickly silenced by enthusiastic applause.
Salazar also performed with his wife Rosette. The two had brought a different flavour to the night, as they indulged in first African American influenced sounds. For his solo performance Salazar performed first Mozart's Waltz Fantasy and Retter's Long Long Ago.
Sandra Dee brought pop-inflected jazz songs to the night with her performance of Funny Valentine. Sandra Dee also performed When I Fall In Love.
She informed the audience that her first piece was dedicated to the honourees. Though most of the other performers had not said so, the night, especially the early pieces, was filled with the kind of inspirational songs suited to the occasion. Beryl D'Aguillar performed first Ave Maria and later If We Hold On Together and Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
Perhaps most fittingly, Barbara Bradford, a sixth form student at Holy Childhood, delivered My Way and One Moment in Time.
Paula Ann Porter brought the night to an end by quoting from the school song. And so the words: 'Let us now in youth rejoice, none can justly blame us...' were the words that echoed on the wind as the audience made their way home.
- Tanya Batson
