The Tribune

A memorial concert for Audrey F Dean-Wright, who had an almost infectious enthusiasm and excitement for the arts, was held at the University of The Bahamas’ Performing Arts Centre at the end of January.

The concert was a musical cornucopia that paid homage to Mrs Dean-Wright’s indomitable spirit, selfless service and exceptional creativity. It was also where UB president Dr Rodney Smith announced the establishment of the Audrey F Dean Wright Visual and Performing Arts Endowment for the Arts. Initial funding raised already totals approximately $20,000. A foundation named in honour of Mrs Dean-Wright - who died last October - will also be established to support undergraduate tertiary education in the arts for Bahamian students at UB, to facilitate the exchange of scholarly information, support the construction of an arts museum complex at the University and expand the UB Arts Immersion Programme.

“This memorial endowment for the arts will touch both communications and creative arts and the School of Education, where Mrs Wright’s passion and life’s work flourished through both music and poetry,” said Dr Smith who added: “There is not one music student who studied under Mrs Dean-Wright who has not been enriched by her profound knowledge of music, her professionalism and high standards and her love for performance. The UB Concert Choir flourished under her leadership, and has become nationally renowned, because of the time, effort and dedication she gave to the development of the choir,” he added.

In her own tribute, Carlissa Wright-Waters singled out her mother’s faithfulness and commitment to her calling. She said: “If she were here tonight I believe that she would say despite it all, despite the loss and grief that many of us still feel and are working through, her God has been faithful and is still faithful to each of us. She would encourage us to press on; not to give up and to allow God to use us to our maximum potential. Life brings unexpected turns, but just like the ebb and flow of a wave or the crescendos and decrescendos of a beautiful piece of music, God’s faithfulness sees us through the rhythms of life.”