Circular No 971

Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 13 of June 2020 No. 971

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Dear Friends,

Let's Open Our Hearts - A Brand New Canticle by Nigel Boos & The Assumption Chorale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyT1qeqR5_o

NIGEL & THE ASSUMPTION CHORALE IN TRINIDAD

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Nigel Boos <nigelboos@gmail.com>

Thu, May 14 at 3:32 PM

My dear MSB brothers,

I am truly humbled by your generous remarks and kind words of concern and support. Thank you so very much. Thank you too, for your prayers for my sake. I do appreciate your friendship and love, shown by your little notes.

Joe, I am touched by your memory of the concert at the Abbey School in the early 70’s. (But between us, you must be the only person ever to remember that day). We did have fun making that trip to the old school!

On July 12, 2020, we shall celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the ordination by Abp. Tony Pantin C.S.Sp. of my older brother, Fr. John Boos M. Afr., and also of the Assumption Folk Chorale, who sang at Fr. John’s First Mass on July 13th,  my Mom’s birthday.. An effort is being launched between Alan Lyder and David Lewis (former organist) to bring together the AFC gang from wherever they happen to be today, to celebrate this milestone in our joint history and to sing together again as once we did. I’m sure that Alan and Dave would appreciate any offer of help you might wish, to make this celebration a memorable one.

In case you need them, here are their phone numbers:

Alan:   868 - 637 - 3954                     or (mobille) 684-0319 - (or perhaps 0319) ????

Dave:  868 - 317-8888

God be with you all

Nigel

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May 14, 2020, at 6:42 AM,

GEORGE MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net> wrote:

UPLIFTING INDEED, Nigel/Kazim/Alan….thanks for sharing with us now…..an inspiration by the Holy Spirit in these times of personal suffering and health challenges being experienced by Nigel……….and so many others around our world.

Let’s lift up our brother Nigel to our Father/Abba/Dad with this prayer:

Father God, we humbly and faithfully pray for Nigel who is fighting cancer. Give him the hope and courage he needs each day. Comfort him in these difficult, challenging days and bless him with healing. Strengthen Nigel’s family, friends, and caregivers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Please be extra careful and stay healthy, safe and sound,

George

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From: Empower With Art

Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2020 10:20 PM 

Keeping our dear Brother Nigel in our heartfelt prayers.

Nigel shared his songs with me, songs when he was musical director of the Assumption Choir which he founded. And I got his permission to create videos so others can continue to be blessed by God's Word.

Here is the story in Nigel's own words of how The Assumption Folk Chorale was born.

https://msbasaa.wordpress.com/assumption-folk-chorale-born/ 

Kaz

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On Thu, May 14, 2020 at 2:05 AM

Alan Date <alandate1@outlook.com> wrote

Saskatchewan_Maestro_in_Bangkok,

Music is your life (or a large-enough part of it, anyway; your dear wife may complain if I hadn't qualified the above).

1. So, here's a lovely performance, in the woods - see attached.

2. It was forwarded from Nigel in Toronto, a man who formed and shepherded a church choir in Trinidad, WI many years ago (I could resist for only so long: Nigel's a cousin...and I hope my pride doesn't come across as boastfulness).

Go Tell Everyone - A Brand New Canticle by Nigel Boos & The Assumption Chorale - 3-min video Nov 24, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65ZY_AkVGPA,

and a few more of the choir's videos:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Nigel+Boos+choir 

And now a request: please join me in saying a prayer now (an Our Father? &/or a Hail Mary?) for Nigel concerning some health challenges he's facing – that he will always know of the good Lord and His Mother at his side. Amen.

And I pray that your Covid-19 restrictions in Bangkok will soon ease, at least enough for you to return to your orchestra.

Coram Deo https://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-does-coram-deo-mean/,

Alan

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Empower With Art <empowerwithart@gmail.com>

Wed, May 13 at 11:20 PM

Here is the story in Nigel's own words of how The Assumption Folk Chorale was born.

https://msbasaa.wordpress.com/assumption-folk-chorale-born/ 

Kaz

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From: Nigel

Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2020 3:39 PM

Here is something uplifting….  

Nigel

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idmitch@anguillanet.com

Fri, 27 Mar, 04:36

Hi, Nigel,

I am glad to hear that you are keeping positive, and that your doctors are on top of all the circumstances that dictate what course you should follow.

Yesterday, Anguilla had her first two cases of Covid19, which instantly brought us to Phase 3 of our national plan for dealing with the epidemic.  From midday today, the island will be on total lockdown and obeying a 6:00 to 6:00 curfew.  Only trips to the pharmacy or to the supermarket are allowed.  Maggie has advanced COPED, so she is in the highest risk group if she should get infected.  We have stocked up on wine, and hope it will last the full period of our self-isolation!!!

We are getting a fourth dog from the animal pound, to add to our security in case social order breaks down in the likelihood of economic distress in the coming recession.

Keep as well as you can.

Best,

Don

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Nigel Boos <nigelboos@gmail.com>

Fri, 27 Mar, 00:03

Dear all,

I hope that you are keeping well and safe during this difficult time of social separation and self-isolation.

During the past few weeks, and since my last email on this subject, our world has changed.

On the advice of my doctor at Sunnybrook Hospital, I have been following, under Jackie’s care, a quite strict routine of high-protein, high-calorie foods in an attempt to regain some of the poundage I’d lost through my December 10th operation when a few of my internal organs were removed. I’ve also been maintaining close contact with Dr. Paul Karanicolas, my surgeon, who has been monitoring my condition.

But a dangerous coronavirus has in the meantime made its awful presence known, and has led to the deaths of thousands of people, young and old, rich and poor, black and white, and of every religious persuasion, in over 150 countries.

On Tuesday, March 24th, I met with Dr. Kirsten Smerdon, Medical Oncologist at Oshawa Hospital to get her final analysis of the situation and her recommendation as to whether or not I should begin chemotherapy. Dr. Smerdon was quite definite in her assessment - In light of the coronavirus menace and my immune system, weakened as a result of the removal of my spleen, it is now too risky to submit to chemo. Further, three months have now passed since my operation and the window of opportunity which has existed to begin chemo has been compromised as a result of the coronavirus and the need to be extra-careful in exposing myself to the threat of infection.

I am sending out this note to my family and friends, many of whom have been showing their love and concern by telephoning, visiting or writing to enquire about my situation. 

I’m committing my cancer care into the hands of St. Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer patients. Perhaps you can pray a little prayer from time to time for me.

Jackie and I, and all our family, send our love and thanks to you all.

God bless us all.

Nigel and Jackie

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Wed, 10 Jun, 23:12

Beautiful pan!

And of course, ZOOM does extend the potential - bringing so many artistes together.

Here’s a little article recording a time when I used to manage the AMOCO Renegades, between 1970-1973, I think. But this occasion was one when I’d invited them to play for a Christmas Liturgy at Assumption Church in Maraval, Trinidad - I believe it was the first time that a steel-band had played in a Catholic Church - at the height of the Black Power Movement in the island.

I hope you enjoy it:

1971 SINGING WITH THE AMOCO RENEGADES 

Christmas of 1971 was the year that Amoco Renegades Steel Orchestra came to play at our Christmas Vigil at Assumption Church.

The Black Power Revolution of 1970 had soured relationships between the “Have’s” and the “Have Nots” of Port of Spain society. There was ill-feeling in Morvant and Laventille, where many poorer black people lived and where indeed, a number of steelbandsmen lived, members of the Amoco Renegades Steel Orchestra, which Amoco Trinidad Oil Company had been sponsoring since 1970.

As it happened, in June 1970, I had founded the “Assumption Folk Chorale” in Maraval, where dozens of young people would congregate each Saturday evening to sing at the 6.00 p.m. Mass and would then hang out together at one or other home, or dance hall, ice-cream shop or whatever.  Youngsters came from every stratum of Trinidad society. There were black kids, white kids, Chinese, Indians, Syrians, Lebanese, French stock, Spanish backgrounders, Germans, English and Irish kids, and they brought with them their own religious beliefs. Most were Catholics, but we also attracted some Protestants of various stripes, and there were Anglicans, Baptists, Presbyterians, Pentecostalists and so on. All were attracted by the vibrancy of our music, but in addition, there was always the attraction of meeting their peers in a non-threatening, controlled atmosphere, and of getting together socially afterwards.

At the same time, as the Public Relations Co-Ordinator of Amoco Trinidad Oil Company, I had been given the responsibility, by my company, Amoco Trinidad, of handling budget meetings with the management team of the “Amoco Renegades”, a company-sponsored steelband of approximately 40 members, who lived in the Morvant and Laventille parts of Port of Spain, and of bringing their concerns and suggestions to the attention of Amoco’s management.

We were getting close to Christmas, when, one day, the thought struck me, that I was in the unusual and enviable position of bringing the two groups together, the Assumption Folk Chorale and the Amoco Renegades, to play at a function at the Church itself. Now, wouldn’t that be interesting? No steelband had ever, to my knowledge, played at a Mass before, and as Churches went, the Assumption Church in Maraval had to be considered one of the bastions of the white “French creole” establishment. It was probably fair to say that very few members of the Laventille / Morvant community would have ever ventured into the precincts of the Assumption Church. 

I called together a number of the members of the Chorale and put it to them, that we might consider presenting our 1971 Christmas Vigil at the Church in conjunction with the Renegades Steel Orchestra. The reaction was immediate and intense. Yes! The decision resounded loudly among the group, and we decided to seek the permission of the parents at least of the younger Choir members, since we would need to drive into the Laventille / Morvant area at night, to practice with the steelband, and we would need the assurance of safety for the young people.

I also spoke with the leaders of the Renegades, to sound them out and to see whether they would be interested in an effort such as this. Wilfred Cox, the Captain, was enthusiastic; but quite naturally, he wondered aloud, “Do you think that the priest would allow a steelband into the Church?” “How would the white people react to our presence?” “Will we be in trouble?” and so on. Somehow, we were able to allay all of his fears, and I explained to him that we would consider it an honour to have Renegades play at the Assumption Church.

A few weeks later, a convoy of some 8 – 10 cars, jam-packed with excited youngsters, all spruced up for the evening, headed east to the hills of Laventille, towards a destination none had ever seen before, to practice with the Amoco Renegades, a name that, frankly, connoted violence and some fear. Some parents accompanied us, to act as chaperones, and the youngsters huddled together as we proceeded slowly up the hills, watched by inquisitive black faces as they wondered what was going on.

We arrived at the top of the hill, where the newly built Renegades Pan House was located, and got out of the cars. It was more than I expected. I hadn’t expected to find hundreds of local people already congregated among the trees and buildings, looking, staring at us, inquiringly. It really was a bit intimidating, and I worried whether this social experiment could succeed.

But I shouldn’t have worried. When I announced that we’d like to start with “Silent Night”, and the band struck up their opening movement, moving softly across the metallic notes and into the first verse, I could have sworn that we were in chorale-heaven. Our choir was suddenly and unexpectedly swollen by the addition of hundreds of voices emanating from the trees and the general unlit darkness, as the entire mass of local residents took up the harmony and joined in the singing. It was marvellous! “Silent Night” had never sounded so sweetly before this.

We moved from song to song, and the Renegades themselves, with no musical scores to follow, but playing only from memory and from their hearts, led us all the way, from “Away in a Manger”, through “Go, tell it on a mountain”, to “Mary’s Boy Child”, and through many more as well.

It was all impromptu, all perfect, and there was no need for a second practice. But as we left that night and headed back to our homes, with many young black teenagers running alongside our cars, the general feeling of good-will and joy which we all felt was echoed by the question that someone shouted out as we drove off:

“When all yuh comin’ back again?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT0UL9oTnt0&feature=youtu.be

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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include.

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Photos:

56UN0004SPORTS, Tug a war

45UN0013GRP, BG boys

13LK6063FBCDF, Cornel de Freitas

49LK9505FBJBA, Calypso at the Mount