Sadeke Brooks, Gleaner Writer

Left: Duane Stephenson performs at the launch of 'Symphony Under The Stars' at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston, on Tuesday. Right: Emily Elliott (left) on cello and Jon Williams on electric violin provide entertainment at the 'Symphony Under The Stars' launch, held at the Hilton hotel, New Kingston, on Tuesday. - photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

On Tuesday night, before the start of the official proceedings, the Symphony quartet's offering of classical music was a sample of what is to come at the second 'Symphony Under The Stars'.

The concert takes place at the Cable and Wireless Golf Academy, New Kingston, on March 15, and features Roberta Flack, who has been a Grammy Award winner on several occasions. Chalice, L.U.S.T., A.J. Brown, Da'Ville, Courtney John, Duane Stephenson and the Masterpiece Orchestra are also in the line-up.

Between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. the small number of guests present used the opportunity to mingle and enjoy the liquor being offered at the Appleton and Lascelles booths, as the organisers of the event used the time to make final preparations.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett lauded 'Symphony' as one of Jamaica's signature events, and said that he hoped Jamaica will continue to be a venue for top-class events. He said the Ministry of Tourism is fully behind the event as it will be contributing to a good cause. He also said that he will contribute $50,000 towards a scholarship fund at the Reggae Studies Unit at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus.

Jon Williams, the musical director of the Symphony quartet, then played Shackles on his electric violin. His performance was lively and had several guests rocking to the beat.

He paved the way for Ruby Robinson, the executive producer of the event, who listed the persons who will be on show at 'Symphony'.

The event was not short of mingling and at various points persons in the venue were signalled to be quiet, as they were louder than the orchestra or the speakers. Additionally, some of the guests seemed uncomfortable as there were no chairs, although the launch finished after 8:00 p.m.