BNYC Director: “We’re Asking People To Expect The Unexpected”

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NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – It’s the time of year for the Bahamas National Youth Choir’s Spring concert and this year is special because they return home.

Our Sasha Lightbourne caught up with the choir’s director, who shared everything you need to know about the upcoming concert and what attendees can expect.

“Celebrate” is probably one of the Bahamas National Youth Choir’s most popular hits.

But beyond the song the choir has withstood the test of time and even beyond the passing of the choir’s founder Cleophas Adderley back in 2017, the choir still remains a treasured icon – one that carries Bahamian culture throughout the world.

This month they’re preparing for their annual Spring concert and this one is extra special because they will be returning to their home – the Dundas Center for the Performing Arts – a place they have not performed in since 2021.

“This year we’re asking people to expect the unexpected so we’re not staying within that box; we want people to have an experience so this show is packaged it has a theme its talking about going back to the islands and talking about the good ole days and then we also music has a way that could be focused so this is about equality in our music” – Dexter Fernander, BNYC Director

“This concert is something unusual; don’t expect anything just be open to listen to music and take a moment” – Dexter Fernander, BNYC Director

Fernander also spoke to the evolution of the choir, explaining that Bahamian music will always be at the choir’s core.

“What we’re seeing with the choir now is that we’re moving into an era where we appreciate the music of the 80s and the 90s, the things that still make us Bahamian; I always say when we went to France we got an eye opener; we had to give them information about what is rake and scrape and explain the music and diaspora and explain how rake and scrape is there” – Dexter Fernander, BNYC Director

Part of the continued success of the choir is due to the foundation it was built upon – Adderley’s legacy, which started more than 40 years ago.

“It’s all of those who have helped in paving the way of what we see as the national youth choir; the independence secretariat was very important to us and so Winston Saunders worked and cleophas adderley being the first director and founder worked beyond that – the original national youth choir; we need their work and we appreciate what they’ve brought to the organization; the work is very important” – Dexter Fernander, BNYC Director

The concert is scheduled for March 26th-28th at the Dundas. You can get tickets from any of the choir members or at the Dundas’ box office.