UTech, Jamaica Choir 60th Anniversary Gospel Concert featuring Kevin Downswell

Mr. Hugh Douse, UTech, Jamaica Choir Director leads the members of the choir during one of their spirited performances.

Persistent afternoon showers could not dampen the powerful voices of the forty-three member strong UTech, Jamaica Choir at the University of Technology, Jamaica’s 60thAnniversary Gospel Concert held on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at the Amphitheatre, Shared Facilities Building, Papine Campus. 

The more delightfully the members of the choir belted out the well-received Negro spirituals and contemporary gospel suite of songs, the heavier the downpour, as if in acknowledgement of their praise.  Expertly directed by Choir Director, Mr. Hugh Douse, each song in turn lifted the spirits higher for the fairly large audience huddled on the corridors surrounding the Amphitheatre.

For the first half of the concert, the choir gave their voices to a selection of timeless gospel songs such as  The Lord is Thy FaithfulnessThe Lord is my LightRide the Chariot, Oh Fix MeAin’t got no time to dieFavourite Song of AllGiving my bestGospel Medley and Lord I Pray.

Following a fifteen-minute intermission, the second act of the concert went into high gear with the choir returning with sing-along favourites, Make a WayHurry Up, Sasikudeand Sanctuary, following which Kevin Downswell, Jamaican Gospel artiste took to the stage with his well-known hit This Place,   followed by several popular pieces such as Good NewsIf It’s Not You, and Already Done.

The very appreciative audience including children braved the intermittent rain to sing and dance along with Downswell and his backup singers.   Between songs, Downswell prayed and encouraged the UTech, Jamaica student body to press on with their academic studies even when times feel insurmountable. He closed out his set with the crowd favourite, You Make Me Stronger backed with chorale support by the UTech, Jamaica Choir.

 

Kevin Downswell, (right), Jamaican Gospel artiste, backed by the UTech, Jamaica Choir and his back-up singers had the audience on their feet during his well-received high energy performance.

The evening’s proceedings were ably compered by Mr. Philip Clarke, Director, Centre for the Arts.

Pictorial Highlights

Mr. Hugh Douse, UTech, Jamaica Choir Director, leads the choir in the opening song, Great is Thy Faithfulness in B Flat.

Members of the audience enjoying the show

End.

Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm