Get in the spirit of the season with family and friends this evening, December 9, for a musical feast for the ears and the soul! The Pianissimo Choir, also known as Charlie Par Choeur, will host a gathering of musical talents from across the island. You’ll hear the young voice of Tamilla Chance (winner of The Voice Kids in France) and the soulful sounds of Malaika Maxwell (Zamar Musikfest) as well as two very talented and enthusiastic adult choirs.
The setting is the Catholic Church in Marigot; but this is not a church service. The music is the star of the show, with Charlie Par Choeur bringing out some new songs and some favourites from their repertoire. These are singers from our own community: businessmen and women, doctors, writers and teachers from both sides of the island. They come together every Wednesday evening for a two-hour session, men and women of many backgrounds, but with some things in common, primarily a love of music and a desire to sing.
Charles Vangeenderhuysen conducts with intensity and pleasure. He has high standards for the choir, expecting serious dedication to the art form, and the members of the choir appreciate his approach.
They will sing romantic ballads, such as “Sous le Ciel Paris” and “Belle Ile En Mer” in French, then there is the a delicately harmonized “Evening Rise,” a song which has its heritage in the American Indian traditions.
Two pieces are tunes that harken back to another era, the classic “Atonement” – composed by Ludwig van Beethoven – and “Laudate Dominum” – a vesper written by Wolfgang Amadaeus Mozart. The Latin text is derived from Psalms 117. This song features soprano soloist Helen Hart with the choir joining in counterpoint. Both of these are from the 18th century.
A favourite of the choir is the lovely and inspiring “Ongea,” which is sung in a call-and-response style utilizing both English and Swahili with choir member Sharon Toulen taking on the lead voice. This song is also known by its English title, “Speak the Truth in Love.” The simple message of this song could in fact be the theme of the Choir Charlie Par Choeur, where people of all nations come together in peace to find beauty and meaning in life.
Another African-derived song is performed in the Zulu language: “Thula Klizeo” composed by Joseph Shambala, which he wrote to comfort himself when he was away from his family and home in South Africa. This is a rhythmic chant of a song inflected with expressive cascades of vocalizations, clapping and shushes.
Other lively songs include “The Rhythm of Life,” from the Broadway musical Sweet Charity, “Connected” by Brian Tate, and the Czech folk song, “Stodola Pumpa,”
In addition to all this, a select jazz ensemble composed of choir members will perform “Les Feuilles Mortes.” This song in English is called Autumn Leaves, and it showcases the jazz syncopation of harmonies and melodies, a delight for the ears and the spirit!
Do come out to Marigot’s Catholic Church tonight and enjoy a music-filled evening with the singers and musicians of Charlie Par Choeur and their friends. The fun begins at 8:00 and continues until about 9:30. There is no charge for this concert and the church offers a spacious seating area with excellent acoustics and a lovely breeze.
