By Paul Dada
If music be the food of love play on— William Shakespeare
The choir of African Bethlehem Cathedral, Lagos Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, which will be 50 years in August. In fact, it is as old as the church, which is over 100 years.
The choir at the inception had always organised a unique service called Pleasant Sunday Afternoon, during which beautiful songs are rendered for church members and invited guests.
The first choir festival was celebrated in 1958 and notable among the first set of the choristers were Brothers D. B. Omokaiye, S. B. Omokaiye, J. M. Odesilo, E. A. Ogunbambi, E. S. Oladipo, J. A. Adeyanju, N. Oguntoyinbo, B.O. Diyaolu and E. A. Omokaiye, while the first female members were Sisters Grace Oriade, Emily Israel, Abike Waddel, Modupe Odesanya and Ibilola Diyaolu.
Notable people had also served at different periods as either organist/choirmaster or organist. They include Messrs. Johnny Smith (the first organist/choirmaster), S. Ade Olawunmi, C. A. Adeyemi, H. A. Akinjobi, J. D. Awonuga, E. Akin Bankole, D. A. Fabunmi, T. A. Sofoluwe, E. M. Sowunmi, Pa Etim and J. I. O. Thomas, all of blessed memory.
Happily, the son of one-time organist/choirmaster, the late Bro. J.D. Awonuga, Ladi, is now the organist/choirmaster.
Some members who had at one time served as assistant organists, include Messrs. Tunde Aboyade-Cole, F.B. Fadina, F. O. Oyebadejo, Olatunde Shyllon, E. K. Oni, W. A. Aina, the late Kunle Badipe, Lartepue Lawson, Sola Maraiyesa, Sesi Olitide, Femi Olatunji, Busuyi Aderogba and presently youthful Yinka Akapo.
The choir, over the years, has rendered works like The Rolling Seasons and Nativity of Christ by Caleb Simpler; O Lord, How Manifold Are Thy Works; Handel’s Messiah, Olivet to Calvary, a scared cantata by J.H. Maunder and Crucifixion by J. Stainer, among other notable anthems.
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