Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Left: Members of the Webster Memorial United Church Youth Choir in concert on Sunday.   Right: A member of the Webster Memorial United Church Youth Choir performs at a concert at the church hall on Sunday. - photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

They said it would be entertaining and it was. They also said there would be something there for everyone and it was so.

The Webster Memorial United Church youth choir's Songs of Worship, Songs of Praise, kept its word on Sunday, when they mystified the audience at the church hall on Half-Way Tree Road.

The ensemble gave treats from a mix of musical genres, ranging from classical pieces and negro spirituals to jazz, gospel, reggae and several contemporary renditions.

The group opened with a bright and dynamic piece, I Will Give Thanks Unto Thee Oh Lord, that showed range and a preview of what was to come.

It was, however, not until Come Thou Fount that the audience really got riled up. Noteworthy was their vocal skill in delivering the rendition, which compared to the balancing act of a bird on a fragile limb. For the first time, the audience was echoing Amens.

That was followed by an ambitious but welcome rendition of Joyful Joyful. It was an outward change of pace when tenor and conductor, Charles Moore, and bass Domnick Frazer sang in a stylishly arranged Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel.

Stick around

As if the show not already going well, the choir reminded the audience that they needed to stick around for the second half. The soloist only added flavour to the already beautiful song.

Allison Roberts captivated the audience with a serenade that caught everyone off guard. The audience found it hard to control themselves as her convincing and sensitive vocal prowess matched that of any top gospel artiste. There was also a great balance between her and the choir that blended like the colours of a sunset.

The show could have ended there and hearts would have been touched just the same, but there was more to come. The show ended with a Moore's arrangement of Papa San's Mek Wi Hail Him Up. It too showed ranged and versatility. The lead singer could have gone a pitch higher, but it was still loved by all. This proved that empty barrels do make the most noise.

Despite a few minor and almost inconspicuous anomalies, Webster Memorial United Church Youth Choir delivered on its final promise to present a programme that was thrilling.