MetamorphosisTuesday, October 27 2009
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North Eastern College and Friends sing one of their folk songs during the "pupa" segment of their concert....
NORTH EASTERN College and Friends (NECAF) hosted a musical extravaganza on Saturday attracting over 200 patrons to the Daaga Auditorium, UWI, St Augustine. The event was held to raise funds for the group’s trip to St Lucia to participate in the St Lucia School of Music Folk Appreciation celebration next month.
The concert, Metamorphosis, highlighted the choir’s development over its 13-year history. Also celebrated on the night was the choir’s musical director John Baptiste and after the show patrons were clamouring for the former North Eastern College teacher to be given a national award. The concert was divided into four segments - egg, larva, pupa and adult - with the opening act providing spiritual enlightenment with an amazing solo by Susan Borneo being the highlight performance. Borneo’s powerful voice had patrons stunned as she belted out the lyrics to “Alabaster Box”.
A guest performance by Scouting for Talent finalist Leon Moore brought back memories as he did three numbers including “Yesterday” and the popular reggae “Brighter Day”, earning a resounding round of applause. NECAF returned to the stage for the “larva” segment, singing contemporary and reggae. Dressed in party attire, they presented an impromptu karaoke with NECAF member Christian Pyke hosting while coaxing the other members to “sing something”.
Rian Dickson had the hearts of every woman in the crowd in his hands, with Kenny Lattimore’s “For You”. Garth Monderoy’s rendition of “Beautiful” and a duet by Gideon Ramtahal and Fayola Wilson singing Jah Cure’s “Need a Lover” had couples swaying and clapping.
Many patrons then had the opportunity for the very first time to witness one of the most talented young symphonic bands live as guest performers. The Trinidad and Tobago Steel and Brass Symphonic Band delivered five items much to the appreciation of the audience. The 41-piece band made up of students of Five Rivers Secondary and Bon Air High School thrilled with their rendition of classics ‘Pink Panther’ and ‘In the Mood’, earning a standing ovation.
The bacchanal then started with NECAF in full swing in the folk music segment which has been their bread and butter, winning them the Best Village Trophy 2005, 2006 and 2008. NECAF are currently in this year’s final and few would bet against the east Trinidad group going all the way again.
They provoked laughter from the crowd singing hits such as “Lillian”, “Buddy Lindo”, “Every Time ah Pass” and “Tingo”, while also commenting on several social ills such as gambling and teenage delinquency.
They brought the curtains down on an entertaining evening with a calypso medley aimed at instilling patriotism as well as invoking fun with soca hits such as “Sake Passe”, “Out on d Road”, “Clear D Road” and Farmer Nappy’s “Chipping”.
