Jeanette Campbell, Contributor
The rains held up. Friends and families filled up the dress circle, the parquette and even ascended to the 'gods' to enjoy the offerings from the Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS) Performing Arts Department.
We were not disappointed on Saturday, November 26.
The programme notes indicate the impressive achievements of the school in music, drama, dance. Mention is made of some of the internationally acclaimed groups and individuals who have graced the stage of the Ward Theatre. I wondered, was I the only person feeling some sense of poignancy when I considered the almost moribund condition of 'Jamaica's largest indoor theatre'? And yet I felt some jubilation and hope when I contemplated the fact that these young people, in their energy and vigour and soaring, had come downtown to contribute toward the restoration of the Ward Theatre.
This concert was exciting, entertaining, excellent. The first half, framed as 'Activity Period', featuring an ancient blackboard and the ritual ringing of the school bell, took us right into the structure and nuances of the place of the performing arts in the curriculum of the school. This section was exuberantly and efficiently guided by Sonia Lee, the MC. She played in the style of Miss Lou, right down to frequent exhortations to "Clap Them!"
Making the commitment
The second half decisively confirmed the wisdom of making the commitment to embrace the performing arts in the curriculum. These young ladies exhibited creativity, discipline, expressiveness, sensitivity, commitment, cooperation and emotional intelligence. Are these not the qualities we must begin to look for in our movers and shakers?
By the time the combined Glee Club and Symphony Orchestra had powered out a passionate rendition of Noel Dexter's O Praise Ye The Lord, we were metaphorically and literally on our feet, in salutation to the efforts of staff, students, and indeed, the entire ICHS fraternity!
photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
The Glee Club performs a folk song during Immaculate Conception High School's concert at the Ward Theatre, downtown Kingston, on Satur-day, November 26.
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