Barbados’ vibrant choral scene is set to deliver a one-of-a-kind collaborative performance this June, as three of the island’s most respected vocal ensembles team up for a special fundraising concert that blends world-class musical talent with community-focused good works. Scheduled for Sunday, June 7 at 6 p.m. at St Mary’s Anglican Church in the capital city of Bridgetown, the event, branded *We Have a Gospel to Proclaim*, will bring together the St Mary’s Augmented Choir, The Clarion Singers, and The Myriad Singers of Barbados for a night of moving, inspirational music, capped off by a joint performance from a combined mass choir made up of singers from all three groups.
Each ensemble brings its own artistic direction to the collaborative project: Akhanni Drakes leads the St Mary’s Augmented Choir, Derek Marshall helms The Clarion Singers, and John Bryan directs The Myriad Singers of Barbados. Beyond the featured vocal performances, attendees will also enjoy live instrumental accompaniment from a roster of accomplished local musical groups, including the 441 Clarinet Ensemble, the Barbados String Quartet, and trumpeters from the esteemed Barbados Defence Force Band.
All proceeds generated from the concert will go directly to two high-impact community causes: the Barbados Cancer Society, which supports residents impacted by the disease, and the St. Mary’s Church Roof Restoration Project, which preserves the historic Bridgetown place of worship. The concept for the cross-ensemble concert grew out of a years-long shared goal among the three choir directors, who have long hoped to combine their talents to deliver both exceptional music and tangible public benefit.
“We have wanted to bring our choirs together for some time, and we felt this was the right moment to make it happen,” explained Derek Marshall, director of The Clarion Singers. “Beyond presenting excellent choral music, we wanted the concert to serve a greater purpose. By supporting both the Barbados Cancer Society and the restoration of St Mary’s Church, we hope to demonstrate how music can unite people around causes that matter. We also see this festival as the beginning of many future collaborations involving even more musicians and charitable initiatives.”
Attendees can look forward to a curated program of sacred and uplifting vocal music, featuring individual sets from each participating choir before the evening builds to the grand mass choir performance that showcases the emotional power and harmonic beauty of hundreds of collective voices. Event organizers have expressed hope that this concert will lay the groundwork for a lasting new tradition of cross-ensemble collaboration across Barbados’ music community, creating ongoing opportunities to support local nonprofits and community improvement projects.
Tickets for the event are priced at $50 BBD and can be purchased directly from any member of the three participating choirs. Organizers have urged music lovers and community supporters to secure their tickets early, noting that this event marks just the first in a planned series of collaborative musical and charitable ventures across the island’s arts sector.