From the Nassau Guardian
No admission will be charged, and individuals are encouraged to bring their laughter and fond memories, along with a “love offering”, to an unusual hymn festival. There, the Bahamas National Youth Choir (BNYC) in collaboration with its alumni association will present a service of thanksgiving in memory of its founder and late choir director, Cleophas Adderley.
“7 May is the birthday of Cleophas R.E. Adderley, founder of the choir, and the current choir along with members who have passed through this entity, will celebrate in our special way Mr. Adderley’s life in song,” said Dexter Fernander, interim choir director.
The festival will be staged at the Lutheran Church of Nassau, John F. Kennedy Drive at 7 p.m., a day ahead of Adderley’s birthday, with the “love offering” going toward assisting the work of the BNYC.
The event is entitled “This is my story, this is my song”, with performances of hymns modern and ancient. “It is important to remember from whence we came, and this event will highlight descants arranged by Mr. Adderley,” said Fernander.
Adderley was not only a choir director but a pianist, organist and composer. Fernander said the descants in the hymn festival were written by Adderley for high feast days in the liturgical calendar as well as important events in Bahamian History.
“The second descant to be sung was arranged for the combined choir and used for the state funeral of the country’s first Prime Minister, the late Sir Lynden Pindling,” said Fernander
He said The Lutheran Church was selected for the event because the church has excellent acoustics and is literally walking distance from Adderley’s home.
“Many great performances in my younger days were held at this church, and I am pleased to see events return there,” said Fernander.
During the late 70s and early 80s the Trinity College of Music piano and organ examinations were held at The Lutheran Church.
Fernander said hymnodies have been used over many generations to glorify God, as well as encourage believers in the faith by singing hymns.