By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 15, 2023 — Bahamians in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area are expected to turn out in droves for the concert featuring the Bel Canto Singers at First Baptist Church, 712 Randolph Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., on Saturday, June 17, beginning at 4 p.m.
The renowned Bahamian group was invited to perform in D.C. by His Excellency the Hon. Wendall Jones, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States, and the Hon. Patrick Adderley, Bahamas Consul General to Washington, D.C., as part of “The Road to 50” celebrations of The Bahamas’ 50th anniversary of independence from Great Britain.
A huge turnout is expected as a result of a reminder posted on Facebook by the Bahamian American Association of the Washington, DC & Mid-Atlantic Region, (BAAWMAR), urging its member to “Save the date for an afternoon in song with the Bel Canto Singers as they present “Road To 50” under the patronage of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Honorable Mr. Frederick A. Mitchell.”
The BAAWMAR reminder noted that a reception will be held in the church hall immediately after the concert.
The group has wrapped up rehearsals and are scheduled to arrive in D.C. on Friday. Eldridge McPhee, founder and conductor of the Bel Canto Singers noted in a press release that the group will be accompanied by an Orchestra featuring: Shavincia Saunders, flute; Lynden Sands, clarinet; Lazano Rolle, Lionel Ferguson, Jr.and Ghandi Sherman, trumpet; Carlano Bain and Stanico Knowles, trombone; Philip Colebrook, Jr., tuba; Othello Dames and Zaavan Colebrooke, percussion; Zaavan Colebrook, timpani; Cameron Pratt, Kiesha Martinez and Megan Collins, violin; Alisha Wells, viola; Romel Shearer, cello; and Jordan-Deane Allen, contrabass.
In a “Director’s Message” thanking patrons following a recent concert, Mr. McPhee said: “We are grateful that you have chosen to be with us this evening and share in our music – food for the soul. This evening’s concert has something in it that is meant to speak to you, as we bring you several genres of music. I trust that you will not only enjoy the music but will also be refreshed and renewed.
“The music that we bring to you comes from our spirits, channeled through our voices with the intent to create a safe space and to encourage change, heightened civic consciousness and fervor for healthy community. As a country, we are now, and have been, number one in the world for Olympic medals won per capita and we have success stories in every discipline with our men, women and young people in the world.”
