(EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’ Facebook Memories post is a story and three photos that were first published seven years ago on April 8, 2013, that were first published in the Freeport News. It was written by Jenny Russell, who is actually a remarkably gifted photographer whom I hired at the Freeport News when I was its Editor from 2003 – 2009. Obviously, she also writes very well. Given the fact that this was seven years ago, it would be interesting to find out where some of these choir members — most of whom should be in their 20s — are today and what they are currently doing. By the way, I haven’t read much in recent years about Kevin Tomlinson and his leadership of the Grand Bahama Youth Choir or his overall outstanding contributions to Grand Bahama’s cultural life generally.)
By JENNEVA RUSSELL
DETROIT, Michigan, April 8, 2013 — The Grand Bahama Youth Choir delivered a moving performance Sunday morning at Perfecting Fellowship International Church in Detroit, Michigan. The group traveled to the Motor City to participate in an exchange program this week at the Marvin L. Winans Academy for Performing Arts.
The students’ rendition of the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ and the song, Hosanna, in acappella, led by Genelle Thompson, filled the rafters of the sanctuary and was well received by the capacity crowd who then rose to their feet in thundering applause following their performance.
The entire experience was an exciting one for the students, but for Thompson — a 10th grader at Bishop Michael Eldon School — it was even more special. She not only got the opportunity to be in Detroit, but to meet and perform with Dr. Winans, one of her role models.
Following the choir’s performance, Artistic Director Kevin Tomlinson introduced Thompson and shared with the audience how she fought to make the trip with her fellow choir members.
It was at that moment when Dr. Winans grabbed the microphone, took Thompson to the center of the stage and began singing one of his popular songs, “Let the Church Say Amen,” with her.
Thompson became so emotional during moments of the song that she could barely contain her joy.
“Really, there are no words to explain how I feel right now. I have been waiting a long time to meet him and, to meet him in this way and to sing with him on stage in his church, it was an amazing feeling,” she told The Freeport News.
“I was not planning on coming on this trip. There were a lot of circumstances added on, as well as financial difficulties. At Mr. T’s Easter concert, a very generous lady offered to pay for me to come because she said I deserve to be here and I am very grateful to her for that. Now I am here. I guess it was for a reason and it was all worth it.”
Tomlinson noted how the occasion provides the group with a unique experience to be “ambassadors for The Bahamas.”
“With all of the fund-raising that we have done, we are excited because at the end of the day our kids will benefit and get the exposure,” he said. “Every concert and event that we have had for these children to get this experience they have had today — here at Perfecting Church, as well as this week at the Marvin Winans Academy for Performing Arts — it was all worth it.”
Before introducing the choir, Pastor Winans revealed how his chance meeting came about with Tomlinson and the choir three years ago in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
“I was the guest speaker during the College of the Bahamas’ commencement ceremony. I heard them rehearsing in a room there at the hotel and was blown away by the way they sounded,” he remembered. “I then shared with Tomlinson the idea of an exchange program between them and our performing art school here in Detroit.”
