The Tribune

AFTER a splendid summer performance tour in Washington, DC, the members of Bel Canto went straight to work for this year’s Christmastide.

Christmastide has grown into a beloved holiday tradition in New Providence, held annually two nights early in December.

The concert, under the direction of Eldridge McPhee, features special arrangements of Christmas carols, anthems and spirituals.

Each year, more than 700 people come from all over the island to attend the concerts, which the singers present as a gift to the music community.

Bel Canto will be presenting the 2014 Christmas performances at St Andrew’s, The Kirk on Saturday, December 6, at 7.15 pm and Sunday, December 7, at 7pm. Tickets are $100 and $25 respectively. The concerts are held under the patronage Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor General.

This year’s concerts will feature arrangements of favourite Christmas carols including arrangements by Bahamian composer Sonovia Pierre.

The gala reception, considered the best kept secret in the Bahamas, will debut a champagne cocktail cash bar this year. Wines will remain complimentary.

Amongst the consummate accompanists for the group is Nathan Lightbourn.

Mr Lightbourn is a composer, pianist and music educator. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music and is an avid supporter for the advancement of music education in the Bahamas and worldwide. He currently serves as assistant conductor of the Bahamas National Symphony Orchestra.

Bel Canto founder and directed Eldridge McPhee said: “For the past nine years I have been realising my vision: to work with individuals, through musical productions, to have an impact on the lives of our members, thereby impacting their communities. The mark of a good leader is discipline, and after having studied music for some 35 years, I know that talent and discipline create success. This formula is not unique to music.”

Bel Canto Singers, through its annual production of Christmastide, has raised more than $90,000 for charities, including the AIDS Foundation, over the past six Yuletide seasons.

The Lignum Vitae Centre of Hope and the Unity Centre have now also been added to the group’s non-profit organisations that will benefit from the proceeds of the gala night.

“I have seen Bel Canto Singers members grow as musicians as well as husbands, wives, partners and parents. More importantly, I have seen members of this group come to learn and to understand what it means to become points of light in their workplaces, churches, civic organisations and at play,” Mr McPhee said.

The Mission of Bel Canto Singers Bahamas is to create a safe space and atmosphere that encourages and nurtures its members to live consciously and with a deep sense of civic responsibility. Members are passionate about personal and musical growth and excellence and strive to demonstrate this though the production of world-class concerts and other musical events, both locally and internationally.

For tickets or further information about Christmastide, e-mail info@belcantosingersbahamas.com or call (242) 376-2772.