The Marionettes Chorale
Encyclopedia
The Marionettes Chorale of Trinidad and Tobago
is one of the oldest performing arts organisations in the Caribbean. Formed in 1963, the choir has toured the Caribbean; North and Central America; and Great Britain; has won prizes at music festivals both in Trinidad & Tobago and internationally; has recorded seven albums; and received local awards. Founded in 1963 by Jocelyn Pierre and June Williams-Thorne, the choir has been led since 1974 by Gretta Taylor
(nee Francis) as conductor and artistic director; Susan Dore (nee David) as assistant musical director; and founder member Joanne Mendes as secretary and production manager. The choir has been sponsored by bpTT (then Amoco) since 1972, and formed a Youth Chorale in 1995. The group was incorporated as a non-profit in 2005.
Between 1981 and 1992, the choir competed internationally at choral festivals in the United Kingdom: Llangollen, Wales (1981); Cork, Ireland (1984); and Middlesbrough, England (1992), winning four prizes. In addition to competitive tours, the Chorale also completed non-competitive tours in the Caribbean (Curaçao, Grenada, St Vincent, Barbados, Jamaica), and in North America and Central America (New York, Toronto, Montreal, Miami, Philadelphia Washington DC, and Costa Rica). The Marionettes have performed at venues including St Martin-in-the-Fields
in London, the York Assembly Rooms
, and the Hall of the Americas in Washington; and for dignitaries including Lord Browne and Colin Powell
, delegates from CARICOM, the Organization of American States
and the British Commonwealth
.
In 1995, the choir founded a Youth Chorale for young singers aged 11-26, from over 30 local schools. The Youth Chorale is also supported by bpTT. In 2001, the Chorale began a fund-raising campaign to build its own rehearsal and performance hall, and formalised its status as a non-profit organisation in 2005.
The Chorale produces at least two major productions per year in Trinidad & Tobago, in the middle of the year and in December, usually at the Queen's Hall in Port of Spain
. It also presents concerts in aid of local charities, and guests at local events. In 2008-09, it celebrated its 45th anniversary, and 35 years of leadership by Taylor, Dore and Mendes.
, opera
, musical theatre
, indigenous folk music
, African-American spirituals, popular classics, and world music
.
Composers who have dedicated works to the choir include Dr. Havelock Nelson
, Stewart Hylton Edwards and Alma Pierre.
The Chorale was among the first to blend voices with the steel pan (aka steel drum) in the 1960s, and have performed with the following steel orchestras: Pan Am North Stars, Trinidad All Stars, Renegades, Renegades Youth Orchestra, Desperadoes and Skiffle Bunch. They have premiered several choral works in the Caribbean, including: Carmina Burana (Orff)
; Fanshawe’s African Sanctus
; Ralph Vaughan Williams
' Five Mystical Songs
, Benjamin Britten
’s Ceremony of Carols; Francis Poulenc
’s Gloria; Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts
and Leonard Bernstein
’s Missa Brevis and Chichester Psalms
.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
is one of the oldest performing arts organisations in the Caribbean. Formed in 1963, the choir has toured the Caribbean; North and Central America; and Great Britain; has won prizes at music festivals both in Trinidad & Tobago and internationally; has recorded seven albums; and received local awards. Founded in 1963 by Jocelyn Pierre and June Williams-Thorne, the choir has been led since 1974 by Gretta Taylor
Gretta Taylor
Gretta Taylor is a musician and teacher from Trinidad and Tobago. She is the conductor and musical director of The Marionettes Chorale . She received the Humming Bird Medal—Gold in 1990 for "outstanding services to music and culture in Trinidad and Tobago".-Education and career:Taylor was born in...
(nee Francis) as conductor and artistic director; Susan Dore (nee David) as assistant musical director; and founder member Joanne Mendes as secretary and production manager. The choir has been sponsored by bpTT (then Amoco) since 1972, and formed a Youth Chorale in 1995. The group was incorporated as a non-profit in 2005.
History
The Marionettes was initially formed to compete in the 1964 Trinidad & Tobago Music Festival, and claims to be the first choir formed after the islands' independence in 1962. The group competed intermittently in the local Music Festival until 1980, and retired unbeaten. They were awarded the prize for the Most Outstanding Choir each time they competed, and other awards included the May Johnstone Commemorative Trophy for the Most Outstanding Performer of the Festival.Between 1981 and 1992, the choir competed internationally at choral festivals in the United Kingdom: Llangollen, Wales (1981); Cork, Ireland (1984); and Middlesbrough, England (1992), winning four prizes. In addition to competitive tours, the Chorale also completed non-competitive tours in the Caribbean (Curaçao, Grenada, St Vincent, Barbados, Jamaica), and in North America and Central America (New York, Toronto, Montreal, Miami, Philadelphia Washington DC, and Costa Rica). The Marionettes have performed at venues including St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields is an Anglican church at the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London. Its patron is Saint Martin of Tours.-Roman era:Excavations at the site in 2006 led to the discovery of a grave dated about 410...
in London, the York Assembly Rooms
York Assembly Rooms
The York Assembly Rooms is an 18th century assembly rooms building in York, England, originally used as a place for high class social gatherings in the city....
, and the Hall of the Americas in Washington; and for dignitaries including Lord Browne and Colin Powell
Colin Powell
Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
, delegates from CARICOM, the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
and the British Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
.
In 1995, the choir founded a Youth Chorale for young singers aged 11-26, from over 30 local schools. The Youth Chorale is also supported by bpTT. In 2001, the Chorale began a fund-raising campaign to build its own rehearsal and performance hall, and formalised its status as a non-profit organisation in 2005.
The Chorale produces at least two major productions per year in Trinidad & Tobago, in the middle of the year and in December, usually at the Queen's Hall in Port of Spain
Port of Spain
Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population...
. It also presents concerts in aid of local charities, and guests at local events. In 2008-09, it celebrated its 45th anniversary, and 35 years of leadership by Taylor, Dore and Mendes.
Repertoire
The Marionettes' repertoire includes Western Classical musicClassical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
, musical theatre
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
, indigenous folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, African-American spirituals, popular classics, and world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
.
Composers who have dedicated works to the choir include Dr. Havelock Nelson
Havelock Nelson
Havelock Nelson was a composer and conductor. He joined the BBC in Belfast in 1947, having been educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He conducted the BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra, also the Studio Symphony Orchestra and the Ulster Singers...
, Stewart Hylton Edwards and Alma Pierre.
The Chorale was among the first to blend voices with the steel pan (aka steel drum) in the 1960s, and have performed with the following steel orchestras: Pan Am North Stars, Trinidad All Stars, Renegades, Renegades Youth Orchestra, Desperadoes and Skiffle Bunch. They have premiered several choral works in the Caribbean, including: Carmina Burana (Orff)
Carmina Burana (Orff)
Carmina Burana is a scenic cantata composed by Carl Orff in 1935 and 1936. It is based on 24 of the poems found in the medieval collection Carmina Burana...
; Fanshawe’s African Sanctus
African Sanctus
African Sanctus is a 1972 choral Mass and is the best-known work of British composer and ethnomusicologist David Fanshawe.In African Sanctus the Latin Mass is juxtaposed with live recordings of traditional African music, which the composer had recorded himself between 1969 to 1975 during a journey...
; Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams OM was an English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music and song: this activity both influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnal, beginning in 1904, in which he included many...
' Five Mystical Songs
Five Mystical Songs
The Five Mystical Songs are a composition by Ralph Vaughan Williams, written between 1906 and 1911. The work sets four poems by George Herbert, from his 1633 collection The Temple: Sacred Poems. While Herbert was a priest, Vaughan Williams himself was an agnostic, though this did not prevent his...
, Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten
Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten, OM CH was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He showed talent from an early age, and first came to public attention with the a cappella choral work A Boy Was Born in 1934. With the premiere of his opera Peter Grimes in 1945, he leapt to...
’s Ceremony of Carols; Francis Poulenc
Francis Poulenc
Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc was a French composer and a member of the French group Les six. He composed solo piano music, chamber music, oratorio, choral music, opera, ballet music, and orchestral music...
’s Gloria; Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts
Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts
In the last decade of his life, Duke Ellington wrote three Sacred Concerts:* 1965 - A Concert of Sacred Music* 1968 - Second Sacred Concert* 1973 - Third Sacred Concert...
and Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
’s Missa Brevis and Chichester Psalms
Chichester Psalms
Chichester Psalms is a choral work by Leonard Bernstein for boy treble or countertenor, solo quartet, choir and orchestra...
.
Recordings
- To Music (LP, 1972)
- The Marionettes Live at Queen’s Hall (cassette, 1989)
- Voices & Steel, with All Stars Steel Orchestra (CD, 1995)
- A Christmas Album (CD, 1998)
- Good News (CD, 2002)
- Sing Noel (CD, 2007)
Tours
- 1965: Grenada; Barbados; and St Vincent
- 1967: Curaçao; Jamaica; New York, USA (United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
); Toronto and Montreal, Canada (Carifta Expo ‘67) - 1969: Grenada (Carifta Expo ‘69)
- 1981: London (Commonwealth InstituteCommonwealth InstituteThe Commonwealth Institute was an educational charity connected with the Commonwealth of Nations, and the name of a building in West London formerly owned by the Institute...
); Llangollen (International EisteddfodInternational EisteddfodThe Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a music festival which takes place every year during the second week of July in Llangollen, North Wales. Singers and dancers from around the world are invited to take part in over 20 high quality competitions followed each evening by concerts where...
, Wales) (United Kingdom) - 1984: London, Cork (Cork International Choral FestivalCork International Choral FestivalThe Cork International Choral Festival is held annually in Cork, Ireland over the May Bank Holiday Weekend and features choirs from all over the world.-History:...
, IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
) - 1992: London (St Martin-in-the-FieldsSt Martin-in-the-FieldsSt Martin-in-the-Fields is an Anglican church at the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London. Its patron is Saint Martin of Tours.-Roman era:Excavations at the site in 2006 led to the discovery of a grave dated about 410...
), Middlesbrough (International Choral Festival), York, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow (United Kingdom) - 1997: Miami, Mansfield College (Pennsylvania), Philadelphia, Washington DC (Hall of the Americas), Princeton UniversityPrinceton UniversityPrinceton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
, New York (Medgar Evers CollegeMedgar Evers CollegeMedgar Evers College is a senior college of The City University of New York.Medgar Evers College was officially established in 1970 through cooperation from educators and community leaders in central Brooklyn...
) (United States of America) - 2004: San Jose and Limón (Costa Rica)
Awards
- Humming Bird Medal (Gold) for outstanding contribution to music in Trinidad & Tobago (1987)
- Keys to the City of Port of Spain (1992)
- Port of Spain Corporation Achievement Award for sterling contribution to the field of music (1999)
- Trinidad & Tobago Icon (History Makers) Award for distinguished service to Trinidad & Tobago (2002)
- Trinidad & Tobago IBC Inc. (Independence Ball Committee, Miami) Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts and Culture of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (2006)
- Queen’s Hall Award for Contribution to the Performing Arts (2009)
Trinidad & Tobago Music Festival
- 1964: JCC Cup for Best Adult Choir
- 1966: JCC Cup for Best Adult Choir; Mary Elizabeth Evans Cup for Best Religious & Church Choir
- 1968: Mary Elizabeth Evans Cup for Best Religious & Church Choir; Merchants Trophy for Best Adult ‘X’ Class Choir; Olive Walke Shield for Best All Round Choir; Founder’s Trophy (May Johnstone Commemoration Trophy) for Most Outstanding Performance of the Festival
- 1980: Ashdown Cup (Best religious open choir over 20 singers); Lion’s Trophy (Most Outstanding Choir of the Festival); JCC Cup (Best Adult Choir)
International prizes
- Ruth Railton Prize for the most outstanding contribution by a visiting group at the Cork International Choral and Dance Festival (Ireland, 1984)
- 2nd place, Madrigal Choirs, Cork International Choral and Dance Festival (Ireland, 1984)
- 2nd place, Mixed Choirs, Cork International Choral and Dance Festival (Ireland, 1984)
- 2nd place, Mixed Choirs, Middlesbrough International Choral Festival (England, 1992)