These Old Harbour Primary singers were a musical delight.

THROUGH intelligent choral performances, solos and instrumental recitals, the participants in the JCDC Musicfest 2008, held recently at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston, proved that our rich cultural heritage in music is not lost on the young. Gospel, popular, classical, sacred and folk were all in the mix.

This year at the annual music showcase, which brings together the top awardees of the JCDC Music Festival, controlled instrumental pieces came from 10-year-old Darielle-Dave Nicholson from Portland's Liberty Learning Centre, who performed a medley of Jamaican oldies on flute, followed by the Gordon's Memorial Prep mini-orchestra with their splendid interpretation of O, Baby It's A Wide World. Forceful and strong come to mind to describe Michelle-Ann Gabbidon's violin performance of You've Got A Friend. The Immaculate student, trained by renowned musician Paulette Bellamy, was a marvel on the strings.

Instruments aside, the choirs and soloists shone most on the night. From Kimiela Isaacs' playful and jazzy interpretation of the negro spiritual Joshua to the crisp, clean and mature rendition of Open The Eyes Of My Heart by six-year-old Brettania Gordon, the audience was in for a treat. The solos continued with Glenmuir's Sheron Forrester commendably doing the Noel Dexter-penned folk gem One Thing Leads To Another and Sandra Morgan-Crawford thrilling with the big-band-driven Route 66.

The high school choirs were also in their element with the girls from Merle Grove (the African-themed Shadowland), the tots from Old Harbour Primary (The Frog) and representatives from Pembroke Hall Primary (Lullaby and Wheel O Medley) impressing with their delivery. But the audience was truly won over by the lush choral harmonies and imaginative arrangement from the Glenmuir High (Exodus Song and Ev'ry Time I Pass), St Andrew High (It Don't Mean A Thing) and Papine High (Welcome to Jamrock).

Pembroke Hall Primary brought flair and energy to the stage

Performances also came from The Port Antonio Theatre Group (Herring), Paradise Prep (Mrs Jenny Wren) and the Cross Keys High School Culture Club with their high-energy Folk Medley.

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