Review: Alliouagana Singers delight Montserrat

A welcome addition to the packed St Patrick’s programme here in Montserrat was a visit by the Alliouagana Singers, a Montserratian choral group based in London, who gave some uplifting and inspiring performances.

The group was founded in the year 2000 by the late Beverly Dewar, with the help of Howard Meade. They realized that among the many Montserratians relocated from the island’s volcanic activity were several former members of Montserrat’s choral groups, especially the group ‘Voices’.

These singers had migrated from the volcano to the UK, but would have loved to continue their singing and make a contribution to the relocated Montserratian culture, and so the group was born. The Singers aim to preserve Montserrat’s identity and cultural values while living far away. Their name, Alliouagana, is the ancient Amerindian name for Montserrat.

During their visit here the group performed at the Governor’s residence, the Credit Union Hall and at several other events. They also performed at all schools on the island and interacted with the children, as well as performing at all three older persons’ homes.

Their main performances were divided into three sections, starting with religious songs, beautifully sung and including some lively renditions. Each section was introduced by dramatist and poet Myrle Roach, who explained that the religious songs portray the faith of Montserratians throughout their historic and recent trials and tribulations. The songs in this section included “Bright Soul”, “Jah is my Keeper” and “Oh Praise ye the Lord”

Between each section of the show, Myrle Roach read some of her poems, movingly written and blending in well with the performance. The poems, with titles like “We call it home” and “Leaving” reflect her love of Montserrat and the anguish and adjustment of leaving one’s homeland and settling into a new culture and environment.

In introducing the second section of the show, Miss Roach explained that this section represented Montserrat from early days up until the start of Volcanic activity. This section included several traditional folk songs like “Market Day” and “Gimme me soup in a calabash” as well as contemporary songs like “Montserrat English” by the late international singing star ‘Arrow’ -- one of Montserrat’s national heroes.

The final section represented contemporary Montserrat since the volcano, and included songs from Arrow such as “I just can’t run away” and “Man must live”, “Prince of Darkness” by Bankie Banx, ending up with several lively dramatized songs led by percussionist and singer Adrian Jeffers.

The group on this visit was led by Howard Meade, with Dr Gertrude Shotte as public relations officer. Most of the group’s musicians were not able to come on this trip, and high praise was given to Mcloyd White, Everton “Reality” Weekes and Harford Bramble, who were co-opted into playing for the group at short notice and did a great job.

This was a very enjoyable and uplifting concert, beautifully harmonized, and demonstrated that the singers are a very versatile group who love what they do, and have the gift of perseverance in often difficult times. Preserving the traditions and memories of Montserrat and the Montserrat connection is a theme that runs all through their performance. They have achieved much over the years through determination to remain strong and together, and of course their love of music.

In London and the wider UK they have performed in many venues. They have a junior section too, consisting of children and grand children of the members, so that the tradition can be carried on, and a steel band is also attached to the group.

While in Montserrat they also performed at the opening service for the Cork Hill Reunion – a big occasion for the village of Cork Hill, which was evacuated years ago, but has now been partially cleaned up for a week of Reunion activities.

In visiting the schools here, the group donated a plaque to each school with the Serenity Prayer engraved on the plaques. They are also in the process of donating stationery items to the schools, with some to follow later. The older persons homes received plaques with the psalm “The Lord is my Shepherd”. In addition they held a singing and music workshop with the children at Brades Primary School.

This hard working group has produced a book entitled “Our Old Fashioned Island: the Alliouagana Singers reflect”. The book contains background information and a history of the Singers, together with poems and prose reflections and memories of the volcanic experience in Montserrat, some describing how it was to lose one’s home and surroundings to the volcano. There are also colour photos of the group in action