Music Festival winners feature at 'Lydians on the Mount - Glorious!'

Lydians showcase Music Festival winners at Mount concert

Hot off a resounding success and over 10 championship and adjudicators trophies at the recently concluded T&T Music Festival, The Lydians head to the majestic setting of The Abbey of Our Lady of Exile at Mount St. Benedict for a fundraising concert in aid of the church.

Entitled, "Lydians on the Mount - Glorious!', this fourth edition of the choir's collaboration with the Abbey continues the celebration of Easter featuring the Lydian Singers and Steel on Sunday 29th April 2018 from 6:00 p.m., against the rolling backdrop of the Northern Range. Within the magical acoustics of the Abbey on the Mount, the Lydians will make a joyful noise with voices, steel and instruments celebrating the Risen Saviour, Jesus Christ, The Lord.

With this fundraising effort, the Lydians continue to offer its community music ministry in support the Abbey in its efforts to restore the holy site and continue its mission.

The Abbey of Our Lady of Exile, Mount St. Benedict

Founded in 1912, Mount St. Benedict is the home of the Benedictine monks who live and work in Trinidad and Tobago and is the oldest monastery in the region. They follow a way of life that traces its roots to St. Benedict of Norcia who was born in Italy in the year 480. Educated in Rome, Benedict of Norcia was exposed to the onslaught of hedonism that was rampant at the time, as people became disoriented from their principal purpose in life. Benedict sought out the solitude of a cave at Subiaco, some thirty miles east of Rome, to recapture what he perceived to be the primary purpose of life: the search for God.[1]

This Easter, the Lydians do it all for the glory of God. Lydians on the Mount – Glorious! will be inspired by  two verses; 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" and 2 Corinthians 4:6 - "For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."

The concert will feature both quietly prayerful and fanfare choral works and will include a special selection of 2018 T&T Music Festival performances including championship winners Alliyah Boland, Janine Charles-Farray, Kory Mendez, the Lydian Ladies and Lydian Men's choirs. Genres to be offered will include Operatic arias, Gospel and powerful Negro Spirituals including "I Know I've Been Changed" passionately performed by Tenor soloist David Williams backed by the full choir, all under the musical direction of Lorraine Granderson.

Lydians on the Mount - Glorious!

A section of folk, calypso and a local original local composition by John Jacob with the Lydians will also feature along with the fanfare concert signature piece, 'Glorious Everlasting' by Cousins. The Lydian Steel ensemble will accompany the choir along with Lydian African drummers. Lindy-Ann Bodden-Ritch along with Myrtle Cumberbatch will accompany the choir on keyboards with Lydian Steel led by co-Captains Tonya King and Astra Noel. Sound will be provided by Kino Alvarez.

Tickets for Lydians on the Mount - Glorious! are only TT$150 and are available from all Lydian members and from the Information Booth at the Mount St. Benedict. For reservations call: 268-9556/338- 6024 or e-mail thelydiansingers@yahoo.com. Parking for patrons available in the Church yard.





About The Lydians

One of the premier musical groups in Trinidad and Tobago, The Lydians consist of singers, steelpan players, African and Tassa drummers and treasured creative collaborators. The group has won several championship trophies at the T&T Music Festival and is a recipient of the Hummingbird Medal – Gold for loyal and devoted service in the sphere of singing. Under the direction of past musical directors including Joyce Spence, Alma Pierre and Pat Bishop, the choir has made history and established a global brand for Trinidad and Tobago as one of the few musical organizations in the English-speaking Caribbean to attempt interpretations of major opera, oratorio and requiem works over the years.

In 2017, the baton of Musical Director was passed to Ms. Lorraine Granderson who has over 30 years' experience conducting, teaching and working with choirs, steelbands and in independent musical productions in Trinidad and Tobago.  The Lydians now enter a new musical era in which the group intends to grow into an even more uplifting future, with the God-given gift of music and in service to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and, by extension, the world.

[1] The Abbey of Our Lady of Exile, Website: http://www.mountstbenedictabbey.org/about.html