Signal Hill Choir marks 25 years

Founded in 1984, the internationally acclaimed group from Tobago has grown to be a cultural institution and an icon of Tobago’s heritage and TT culture. SHAC evolved from the Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive School Folk Choir, which dominated the Folk Category of the Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival in 1982 and emerged as undisputed National Junior Folk Champions. SHAC dominated the National Music Festival during the 80s and retired from this competition in 1990.

To celebrate its silver anniversary, SHAC will host four concerts in TT, an award ceremony and dinner, a tour to Europe as well as other activities in education, sports and culture, and community outreach.

The feature event Jubilee! the concert will be presented at Naparima Bowl (June 19), and at Queen’s Hall (June 20 and 21). In a fitting tribute, the Tobago show will be staged at the Signal Hill Secondary Comprehensive on June 28, when the choir returns to the place of its beginnings.

And again, the choir enjoys the distinguished patronage of President George Maxwell Richards. When the choir presented the production “Voices of Praise and Protest” it also was afforded the President’s patronage, as has been the prestigious position enjoyed by the group for many years with the serving Head of State.

The concerts will feature among its guest artistes Maisha Zuri Performing Choir, The Lydians, The Marionettes Chorale, and for the Tobago show the TAPA dancers, and the Tobago Amateurs. Cameo performances include soca chutney sensation Rooplal Girdharrie and Winston “Shadow” Bailey, whose work is being honoured along with that of David Rudder.

Tickets for the shows are available at Crosby’s North and South, Naparima Bowl, Cleve’s Frederick Street; Michelle’s in Arima, and at Sanch Electronix, St Joseph.

Itinerary of events

from June to September:

June 14 Thanksgiving

Ceremony Lambeau Church of God

June 19 Jubilee! The Magazine to be published

June 19 Jubilee! Concert Opening Night Naparima Bowl: 7pm

June 20 Jubilee! Gala,

Queen’s Hall,

St Ann’s:8pm

June 21 Jubilee! Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s: 6pm

June 28 Signal Hill Secondary Comprehensive, Tobago 6pm

July 4 Sports and Family Day

July 11 Dinner and Award Ceremony

August/September European cultural exchange tour

September: School tour