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Christmas is a
season for ceremonies in many forms. This year is no different, with
numerous events already lined up to lead Nigerians into the yuletide
and the New Year. Some, however, remember to maintain the birth of
Christ as the sole purpose of their jubilation.

One of such was the
Annual Christmas concert by Lemuel Iyalla and his Greenland Classics
that held at the University of Lagos on Sunday, December 6. The 2010
edition was another in a series of concerts, which began in 2008, two
years after the group – a harmonious bundle of vocal talent – was
established. Tagged ‘Peace. Be Still,’ the event, which took place at
the campus’ Chapel of Christ Our Light, promised music as medicine for
the soul’s troubles.

A praise-worthy evening

With lawyer and
academic, Yemi Osinbajo, as chairman, the event lived up to its billing
as a promising night of songs. Not only was the audience constantly
moved to sing along, there were numerous entertaining, yet
inspirational messages to draw from the performers’ repertoire.

Apart from the
Greenland Chorale and The Mass Choir, director of the Greenland
Classics, Lemuel Iyalla, Prisca Enyi, Peter Bema and Amaka Sam-Ejelu
were also on the list of the night’s singers. Emcee’d by Olawale
Samuel, the evening opened with a performance of ‘Lord for Thy Tender
Mercies’ Sake’ by the Mass Choir, followed by a solo rendition of
‘Bless this house’ by the tenor, Iyalla.

Osinbajo then gave
his remarks. “It is good to give praise”, he said, “especially for a
nation like ours where against all odds we stayed united and our people
still had the chance to display their talents.”

The former Lagos
State Attorney General hailed the Christmas concert as an initiative
that was worthy of praise and that should be continued.

Affirming the
professor of Law’s claim on the event’s quality, Prisca Enyi, a
soprano, came on stage and wowed the audience. Her rendition of
Mozart’s ‘Exultante Jubilate’ was sonorous and soul-stirring. Nothing
else could describe sweet music to the ears. Her composure and stage
presence was magnified by her gestures and facial expressions which
reflected the tone and mood of the song. Enyi’s was indeed a magnetic
performance that could only add to the bright sparks of the Christmas
season.

Iyalla returned to
the stage to perform a medley of Christmas carols, which included ‘O
Holy Night’ and ‘White Christmas.’ Up next was the elderly Josephine
Okuboyejo singing ‘Silent Night’.

Courtesy of the
mass choir, the audience was treated to ‘Tidings of Comfort and Joy,’
‘Ding Dong Merrily on High,’ and with audience participation performed
‘Once in Royal David’s City…’ The choir added their own style to the
songs, ending the second carol on a flourish.

Inspirational performance

The most inspiring
story and performance of the night was that of Peter Bema’s. The Rivers
State-based Bema is a visually-impaired, highly-talented vocalist and
instrumentalist. His vocal ability was reminiscent of Andrea Bocelli’s.
In a country with challenges even for the able-bodied, Bema’s success
story echoed that of gifted soprano, Victoria Oruwari, and expert music
producer, Cobhams Asuquo.

The musician
himself admitted that his parents had not expected him to come this
far, but for the glory of God. “Jesus,” Bema said, “is the reason for
the season,” before breaking into ‘Jerusalem’ from Handel’s ‘Messiah.’

His message before
the next song was for us to find our purposes in life and never to let
anything stand in the way of our dreams and aspirations. His glowing
tenor had stunned the audience in his first performance; his dexterity
on the keyboard soon ‘double-stunned’ the audience.

Taking his place
behind the keyboard, Bema’s fingers flew expertly across the keys as he
accompanied himself on a motivational Kenny Rogers’ tune titled, ‘Till
The Season I’m Strong Again.’ His ingenious performance – impressive
vocal quality imbued with theatrics and a commanding stage presence –
was rewarded with a standing ovation.

Embodying the
message of the concert was Amaka Sam-Ejelu’s performance of a personal
composition. Her rendition of the song ‘Sing for Christmas’ outshone
her sparkly black and gold costume and was a thrilling, memorable ode
to the purpose of the yuletide celebrations. The song could very well
become a Christmas anthem, as it was much similar to others that had
come before it in message and in tune.

The climax of the
evening was a rendition of indigenous praise songs by the Greenland
Chorale, led by Iyalla. These included popular tunes like ‘Gbo Ohun,’
‘Ise Oluwa,’ ‘Ni Gbogbo Ona E Se’ and Efik songs like ‘Amanam.’

It can only get better

Following a vote of
thanks and closing prayer by Bishop George Bako, the Greenland Chorale
and the Mass Choir gave a joint rendition of ‘A Merry Christmas,’ a
wonderful note on which to send the congregation into yuletide mode.

An undoubtedly
amazing night in this year’s Christmas season, the event was not
without its hitches. Some of those billed to perform were absent and
not all the songs listed were eventually performed. However, as a
prelude to its other major concerts, this year’s Christmas Concert was
a laudable effort on the part of the organisers.

For those eager to experience the Greenland Classics, upcoming
concerts to look out for include the ‘Heritage for Life’ concert, ‘The
Essence of Music’, and ‘The Garden Experience.’