ST. THOMAS, USVI – The Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS) Music Department held its annual Christmas concert, themed, “Season’s Reasons: A Tribute to Legends” on December 11, featuring student musicians performing a variety of Christmas tunes and tributes to musical legends, such as Prince and Nick “Daddy” Friday.
The joint Concert and Symphonic Band perform "Christmas Bells Are Ringing" directed by Luben Daniel
The Concert and Symphonic bands opened the show in a joint performance of “Christmas Declaration” and “Christmas Bells Are Ringing,” directed by Roslynn David and Music Department Chair Luben Daniel, respectively. Following the performances, the highly anticipated Mello Hawks Steel Band welcomed CAHS alumni with “Ah’ Coming Home for Christmas” and “Santa Send Me.”
The Golden Hawkettes dance to James Brown classic, "I Got You (I Feel Good)"
The Jazz Ensemble began the evening’s tributes to legends with “I Got You (I Feel Good),” arranged and directed by Francis Callwood and featuring the dance stylings of the Golden Hawkettes. CAHS’s all-female vocal ensemble, Swans on the Lake, joined the jazz ensemble to deliver moving medleys highlighting the works of Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston.
J'Niya Challenger performs Redemption Song
The highlight of the show was the transformative performance of “Redemption Song” by solo guitarist/vocalist, J’Niyah Challenger. Challenger won the hearts of the audience as she encouraged them to sing the Bob Marley classic with her. The all-male group, Ripples on the Lake, another crowd favorite, serenaded the jubilant crowd with medleys dedicated to Prince and Michael Jackson.
Ripples on the Lake performing Purple Rain during their tribute to Prince
The Jazz Ensemble and vocalist Raynel Maynard delivered an energetic performance during the calypso medley of Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell’s classic, “Hot, Hot, Hot.” Vocalist Ahniah Nibbs shifted focus to local legend Jam Band, as the audience was transported to carnival with upbeat tunes featuring the music of Nick “Daddy” Friday directed by Francis Callwood.
Vocalist Keinesha Potter joined the Jazz Ensemble to close out the show with “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” directed by Francis Callwood.
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