Michael Reckord, Gleaner Writer

The Grace Children's Club was "an integral part" of the early musical life of Christine MacDonald-Nevers, now an actress, folk and classical singer (contralto) and the leader of the internationally acclaimed Jamaican Folk Singers.

"My love for music developed during my years in the Grace Children's Club," McDonald-Nevers told The Sunday Gleaner, though it was not because she enjoyed music, singing or performing why she joined. It was simply because her parents told her (and her two brothers) to do so. After all, she was only four years old.

Now, she is glad she did. It was a culturally enriching experience.

She explained, "The Club [led by renowned folk music researcher, Dr Olive Lewin] performed at churches, children's homes, participated in concerts and television productions with the Jamaican Folk Singers, and performed occasionally with the Jamaica Orchestra for Youth (Strings)."

Development of interest

She found the activities both enjoyable and educational, and the exposure led to the development of her interest in Jamaican folk music and culture.

"Additionally," she stated, "as one of the longer-serving members in the group, I was given the responsibility of teaching certain songs and dances to the newer members, and this I believe was where my first leadership role was. The club was an integral part of my early training in leadership, teamwork, service to others, respect, gratitude and commitment."

MacDonald-Nevers' commitment, appreciation and love of music grew as she accompanied her mother, soprano Marilyn Brice-MacDonald, to rehearsals and performances of the many singing groups to which she belonged. They included the Jamaican Folk Singers, the Y Choral, Methodist Chorale, Diocesan Festival Choir, National Chorale of Jamaica, Jamaica Choral Orchestral Society and the Jamaica Amateur Operatic Society, now the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company (JMTC).

"Her involvement in these groups," said MacDonald-Nevers, "introduced me to a wide variety of music forms, and I found that I had an appreciation for each, some more so than others."

Not surprisingly, MacDonald-Nevers went on to sing with her high school (Campion College) choir and then the University Singers while at the University of the West Indies (UWI). She remained a member of the group for 13 years, and over the years has been a featured soloist with the singers, the Diocesan Festival Choir and the National Chorale of Jamaica. She also performs occasionally with the JMTC.

Her standing as a top-calibre musician has come not only from her wide experience, but also from formal study of the art. She enrolled as an evening student at the Jamaica School of Music where, with vocal training from Dawn-Marie Virtue, June Thompson-Lawson and Winston Ewart, she was successful in the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) examinations, receiving mainly distinctions and merits in practical and theory examinations from grades five to eight.

She successfully completed the diploma in ABRSM examination and received a distinction - Licentiate, Trinity College of London examination in 2005. In November 2007, she earned a fellowship, Trinity College of London, one of the highest qualifications awarded by Trinity College.

Greatly influenced by her mother's successful music career, MacDonald-Nevers competed in a number of music festivals staged by the Association of Music Teachers and Friends of the Arts, placing in the top three on numerous occasions. In 2003, she received the Joyce Britten Trophy for the Best Overall Vocal Performance in the festival.

She has tutored in voice at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts and lectured in music appreciation at the International University of the Caribbean.

Though she is among the younger members of the Jamaican Folk Singers, MacDonald-Nevers has been its musical director for seven years and The Sunday Gleaner asked how membership with previous choirs helped to prepare her for leadership.

She said, "My membership with the Campion College choir gave another opportunity to develop my leadership qualities as I was on the choir's management committee for two or three years. That included record keeping, planning the concert seasons, retreats, et cetera. My experience with the choir was very different from that with other groups, and this served to widen my experience as it related to different leadership styles."

Performing with a number of groups, she added, exposed her to different styles and different group membership demographics, all of which helped her development.

Her 13 years with the University Singers acquainted her with the leadership styles of musical director Noel Dexter and artistic director Professor Rex Nettleford, and she learned from both.

Travelling opportunities

Membership of the group was also important in another way, as she explained: "Travelling was another highlight of my years with the group. Prior to joining the University Singers, I had never visited other Caribbean countries and membership in the group afforded me the opportunity to visit Antigua, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, Tortola, Trinidad and St Maarten. There were also trips to the USA and England. Having the opportunity to travel to perform for different audiences and to learn about other countries was always a pleasure".

Her development as a performer was also aided, she said, "in terms of the variety of music forms that required different singing styles and the theatre element which required dramatisation."

Her management and leadership skills were honed with the University Singers as she was a management committee member in various capacities, including vice-president, secretary and public relations officer, during eight of her 13 years with the group.

While at UWI, MacDonald-Nevers was also a member of the University Dramatic Arts Society for two years and had a lead role in one of the society's major productions, Death and the King's Horseman, by Nigerian Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka. She has since performed in a number of musicals as part of the Ward Theatre's Season of Excellence and with the JMTC. She also appeared in the film, Happily Ever After, directed by Paul Campbell.

Keeping folk alive

Asked about her plans for the 42-year-old Jamaican Folk Singers, she replied, "My aim is to work towards continually fulfilling the mission of the Jamaican Folk Singers, which includes keeping alive the folk foundations of Jamaica's musical heritage with music, movement and mime presentations, which maintain the integrity of the music and are artistically acceptable, and maintaining active contact with the 'keepers of our culture' in an effort to bridge the gap between the senior citizens and the youth.

"Part of my goal has been for the group to become more active as there are many Jamaicans and others who want to learn about our culture, and want to get the opportunity to experience Jamaica's folk music culture. We endeavour to share the beauty of Jamaica's folk music heritage with as many people as possible."

Of the group's founder, MacDonald-Nevers said: "Dr Olive Lewin is one of my role models, someone for whom I have great respect. I have learned from her and been encouraged by her. To be appointed musical director of the Jamaican Folk Singers by its founder was an honour. Dr Lewin's beautiful arrangements of our folk songs help to highlight the beauty of what Jamaica has to offer."