There were many things to do in Cayman over the past holiday Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

The much publicized event, the Flowers’ Swim being the most popular.

However, the least publicized was just as fabulous. In fact it was magnificent.

Whilst thousands came out to watch the hundreds of swimmers and cheer them on it was a different story on the other event.

Cayman Islands Male Voice Choir sang their hearts out at a fabulous concert at Elmslie Memorial Church last Monday (17) to an audience that didn’t even total fifty!

Simply, appalling.

And you all missed a treat.

I have been attending nearly all of the Male Voice Choir concerts, over my past thirty years on Grand Cayman, when one of its leaders, choir master, organist/pianist, conductor, was the late Ferdinand Seymour. This latest performance was easily one of their best.

It was so nice to see Ferdinand’s widow, Emily, in the audience but she must have been saddened at the total lack of support that her late husband’s choir received last Monday.

Not that the audience there were not appreciative. We not only clapped vigorously but “whooped” when we were so moved by the glorious singing from the eighteen choristers. They also received a standing ovation after the final song and when master of ceremonies, Pastor John McMillan, asked if they would sing one verse of “Meeting in the Air” again as he liked it so much, the audience shouted out, ”No! We want to hear ALL of it!!” The choir obliged. The audience also joined in and clapped in time with the beat of the singing.

Double Click on each photo to enlarge

There were some solo performances and trios and quartets from various choir members but the biggest applause went to very young singer, Aiden Connolly, who gave a very powerful solo performance. His father is a member of the choir and he must have been proud. Now there is a future member in waiting.

The Choir Director was Ernest Bodden, who conducted and was the lead singer on the final piece, “What a Mighty God We Serve”.

Other songs included: “Seeds of Promise”, “Seeking the Lost”, “So Send I You”, “Courage Brother”, “The Touch of his Hand”, “How Great Thou Art” and “Stand Still”.

Accompanying the choir were pianist, Marjane Ebanks-Fellows, and organist, Denver Bloomfield.

It is rare for me to go away from concerts wanting more. This was one of them.