Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

The University Singers in concert at the Bank of Jamaica's 10th staging of an Evening with the University Singers at the UWI Chapel, on Wednesday evening. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer

The hall was decked and the University Singers were adorned in their crimson red attire for a night of enchantment at the UWI Chapel on Wednesday night.

This year's concert, presented by the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), is the 10th staging and the night's performance was not too far from being a 10 on the score sheet.

The University Singers mixed well-known carols with some that were not quite familiar, but still the capacity chapel, along with those on the outside, found their delight in the sweet melody the choir has become synonymous with.

The Singers brought the audience through an array of moods that added new life to the story of the birth of Jesus. The songs were obviously chosen to depict a chronology of the events. They entreated the audience to Rejoice A King Is Born and then like any new born babe, they laid him to rest in Sleep Little King.

They managed to change the pace from one that was somber to one that celebratory with Do You Hear What I Hear. The king was born and the great news permeated throughout the town of Bethlehem that the Saviour had come.

Raymonde Rohan had no problem telling her part of the story when she bellowed out all the right notes for Jesseye's Carol. Her huge and resonating soprano filled the chapel, with the choir providing a soothing balance.

It got better, much better.

Peter Tosh's Creation is not a conventional Christmas carol, but it seemed appropriate on Wednesday. Perhaps it was the choir's ability or the lyrics that made it so relevant. Either way, it worked. It was also the moment when the Singers left the stage and lined the aisle while singing.

Lighter and Jovial

The second half opened with a continuation of the first, but gradually transitioned into lighter and jovial mode. With carols such as Ding Dong Merrily On High and The Little Drummer Boy heads were bobbing and a few more 'conductors' emerged from the audience.

It would not have been a show if the Jamaican element was left out. To the rhythm of the drums and various other instruments, it got really Jamaican with Run Come Quick.

Ellan Edwards also managed to keep the audience moving side to side with a commanding and pleasant rendition of Magnificat. A little humour was also a part of what was winding down to a magnificent evening.

Oh Holy Night is usually a beautiful carol, whether it is done by the world's greatest singers or just by someone who has an idea how to sing. Rohan, however, demonstrated why it is much better whenever a pro does it. Christmas was official and the audience will probably go home still hearing Rohan's high octave finale.