Where else can you find a heaving helping of solo performances on harp, flute, piano, guitar, violin, clarinet, and, of course, voice on one Sunday afternoon programme? Classics in June, no doubt.

The display of talent and mastery returned for its 18th edition, Sunday last, at the Church of the Ascension (Anglican), Mona, to the delight of its now faithful audience.

Appreciation and applause flowed as the tastefully hearty programme, hosted by Master of Ceremonies Dervan Malcolm, thrilled attendees. Head bops, closed-eyed trances, and the occasional hand gestures as would a conductor, were visible as stage appearances gave quality presentations.

Hosts, Soroptimist International Jamaica (Kingston), curated an evening that began with Japanese pianist and musicologist Yuko Aoki. Her delivery of Jeux d’eau featured a display of hand jumps and crossovers, along with elaborate fingering, as she was a show of dexterity.

This was followed by countertenor Mickel Gordon, with guitarist Shawn Richards, offering Flow Not So Fast, Ye Fountains. Described by the performer as being (for the layman) a male soprano, the not regularly heard voice was effortlessly presented by Gordon. The performance was a lesson is clean entries, elegant height, and breath control. The strong support of the guitar paid tribute to the period of the piece.

Richards would later join flautist Laurice Barnaby for the flutters of Rondeau (Jean-Joseph Mouret) and the trills of Minuet (Luigi Boccherini).

The seemingly multi-master Gordon would take to the piano stool to accompany soprano Nomali Lumsden Campbell (Sweet Chance, That Led My Steps Abroad and Vittoria Mio Core), Rafael Salazar on clarinet (von Weber’s Grand Duo Concertant Op 48), as well as Gabriel Walters (Gartenscene and Sonata Op 82) on violin. His stellar performance of Franz Haydn’s Sonata No 29 in E Flat Hob XVI:45 was received well-earned kudos.

Mezzo soprano Christine MacDonald Nevers joined Lumsden Campbell for the playful Tell Me Where Fancy Is Bred by John Andrew Stevenson (The Merchant of Venice), which soared as it tickled.

The second half would see a return of MacDonald Nevers (Frauenliebe und Leben Op 42 and Rodgers’ To Keep My Love Alive), Salazar (Variations Sur Un Air Du Pays d’Oc), and Richards (8 Discernments).

Tenor Karim Chang and show-closer Steven Woodham on violin — delivering works from Ennio and Andrea Morricone as well as Beethoven — would top a feast of the classics.

Under the patronage of Ambassador of France to Jamaica Olivier Guyonvarch and his wife Boulie, the event’s greater aim was fund-raising in aid of the work of Shortwood United Church Early Childhood Development Centre, Reddie’s Children’s Home, and the SWEEP project.

There can be no fault found in the promise issued by immediate past president of the host club, Sonia Black, at the start of the programme that a truly enthralling evening would be had for the 2023 edition of the concert series. With such quality performances of choice pieces the save the dates for 2024 will surely gain willing pickup.