André Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Singer/conductor Franklin E. Halliburton performs at the Bank of Jamaica's 10th staging of an Evening with the University Singers at the UWI chapel, Mona campus, on Wednesday, December 20, 2006. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer

The University Singers has been thrilling audiences for a long time. They will celebrate their 50th year of existence in 2007. Noel Dexter has been at the helm for a significant portion of that time.

There will, however, come a point where Dexter will vacate his position as musical director and a successor will be chosen. When that time comes, the 'changing of the guard' should be a smooth process.

Dexter has imparted much of what he knows on a few outstanding members of the group, but there is one name that stands out like a beacon. Franklin Emile Halliburton is being touted the apparent heir to the University Singers director's throne.

His love for music is unquestionable and his talent palpable and his flamboyantly dramatic style of conducting are all a part of what makes Halliburton a class act. His audiences probably pay as much attention to him as they would the choir.

"I recognised I had the gift of composition, of writing. Going from day to day, there was always a song in my head. It started pretty early and it would increase in complexity over time," Halliburton said.

"I don't know if I ever thought of it (music); it was just a part of my life. It kinda just seeped into my subconsciousness. It all started with my mother who guided us," he said.

music, big part of his life

He did not foresee himself being catapulted to this height, but he always knew music was going to be a big part of his life. His mother was a music teacher and encouraged himself and his three sisters to develop the interest.

Halliburton started as early as five years old, but it was not until he was 14 that he started to accelerate. He went as far as completing grades one to eight in music and theory from the Royal School Of Music . He did not stop there. He would go on to become a member the very same group he is poised to lead. This is, of course, after he had earned his stripes from being a part of the University of Leeds Philharmonic' Chorus and years under Dexter's stewardship.

he puts all he's got into it

His style is one he has become widely known for. He has never seen himself conduct, but his wife Racquel and many others have ragged him about it. It is very evident that he puts all he's got into making sure he accomplishes the mood of any song.

"There are various styles and school of thoughts when it comes to conducting. The choir must be able to read you as clearly as two sentences on a page. Whoever it is you are conducting, a choir or a flock of sheep, you have to interpret the music and transmit via body language," Halliburton said.

His first stint as a conductor came when he worked with Montego Bay Youth Symphony.

He felt it necessary to exaggerate so that his directions could be clear. It is a different story with the University Singers, as they are 'more responsive' to his direction. However, his style works with them and he is not likely to change.

No one knows exactly when Halliburton will become the musical director. He continues to be one of the associate conductors, along with Heston Boothe, under Dexter's direction. He is, however, ready for the challenge.

"We pride ourselves with developing local talents. We don't really operate on a title basis. If I can do something, I do it. If I can't for any reason, the group is versatile enough for feel from persons in the group to fill the spot," he said.

Halliburton may be the competent conductor, but there is much more to him than meets the eyes. Whenever he is not working an arrangement for the University Singers, he is busy trying to pass the Jamaican bar.

Halliburton returned to Jamaica in September of 2006 after graduation with a law degree from University of Leeds in England. The decision to come back to Jamaica was not a difficult one.

"England does not need another Jamaican lawyer. My navel string is buried right here, so there is a particular pull to Jamaica. I would rather stay here and to try to empower and build up my own people. It sounds corny, but it's true," he said.

He and his wife, who he has been married to for 18 months, passed the bar in England and they are both working hard at the Norman Manley Law School to convert to the Jamaican equivalent.

He does not know what's next for him, but he is a man of faith and said he is depending on the Lord for what is to come.