Led by conductor Gretta Taylor since 1974, the Marionettes Chorale is one of the Caribbean’s leading choral groups and a household name in Trinidad and Tobago. The first choir to be formed in newly independent Trinidad and Tobago in 1964, it quickly distinguished itself in Trinidad and Tobago’s Music Festival and internationally. In 1995, it launched the Marionettes Youth Chorale, and the two groups regularly share the stage together at home. The organisation was officially incorporated as a nonprofit in Trinidad & Tobago in 2005, and has been sponsored since 1972 by bpTT.
HISTORY
The Marionettes Chorale was formed in 1963 by Jocelyn Pierre and June Williams-Thorne to compete in the 1964 Music Festival. The Chorale competed intermittently in the biennial festivals until 1980. On each occasion it was adjudged the Most Outstanding Choir. Included among its many trophies was the prestigious May Johnstone Commemorative Trophy for the Most Outstanding Performer of the Festival.
After 1980, the choir was busy gaining respect on the international scene. Competing against the big names like Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, England, Ireland, Wales, Poland, Romania, the Philippines, the United States and Cuba, the Marionettes won four major prizes from the three International Choral Festivals in which they participated, in Llangollen, Wales (1981), Cork, Ireland (1984) and Middlesbrough, England (1992). In the process, such distinguished musical figures as John Rutter, Philip Ledger, Andrew Carter and Gwyn Arch, and Dr. John Havelock-Nelson were high in their praises of the Chorale’s performances.
In addition to Britain, the Chorale has toured extensively in the West Indies (Curaçao, Grenada, St. Vincent, Barbados, Jamaica and Costa Rica) and in North America (New York, Toronto, Montreal, Miami, Philadelphia and Washington DC). It has received standing ovations from capacity audiences at such prestigious venues as St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, the Assembly Rooms in York, and the OAS Hall of the Americas in Washington, DC.
The Marionettes Chorale regularly raises funds for charity. It has performed for internationally acclaimed personalities such as Lord Browne and Colin Powell, and has entertained international delegates from the OAS and the Commonwealth, Caricom Heads of Government, and Commonwealth magistrates. It has led the congregation at major local events such as City Day interfaith services, the opening of the Law Courts, and the National Awards ceremony at President’s House.
Since 1974, The Marionettes have been directed and conducted by Gretta Taylor,, assisted by Susan Dore and a committee headed by founder member and secretary Joanne Mendes. In 1987, the 25th anniversary of Trinidad and Tobago’s independence, the Chorale was awarded the Humming Bird Medal (Gold) for its outstanding contribution to music. Its director, Gretta Taylor, was honoured with a similar award in 1990. The Chorale received the keys to the city of Port of Spain in 1992.
In 1995, the Marionettes Youth Chorale was formed. It comprises youngsters from some thirty learning institutions in Trinidad, and appears regularly alongside its adult counterpart. The Youth Chorale has performed such challenging works as Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”, Fanshawe’s “African Sanctus”, Orff's “Carmina Burana”, Haydn’s “Te Deum”, and Mozart’s “Coronation Mass”. The chorales have performed with visiting choirs, the senior chorale appearing with the Carnegie Mellon choir (Ohio, USA), and the Youth Chorale with the Juniata College Choir (Pensylvannia, USA).
The Marionettes’ repertoire spans a wide range of musical styles, from 16th-century Gabrielli to 20th-century Messiaen, as well as opera, spirituals, Caribbean and international folk songs, and calypso. It has always championed Trinidad and Tobago’s music, which it has performed extensively on overseas tours. The Marionettes were one of the first to blend voices with steel in the 1960s, and have been accompanied by many top steel orchestras — Pan Am North Stars, Trinidad All Stars, Renegades, Renegades Youth Orchestra, Desperadoes and Skiffle Bunch.
The Chorale has had the honour of having work dedicated to it by composers including the late Dr. Havelock Nelson, Stewart Hylton Edwards and Alma Pierre.
The Marionettes’ classical repertoire includes Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” and “Magnificat”, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” (Ninth Symphony), Brahms’ “Liebeslieder Waltzes” and “Gypsy Songs”, Haydn’s “Mass in D Minor” (Nelson Mass) and “Te Deum”, Handel’s “Messiah”, Mozart’s “Solemn Vespers” and “Coronation Mass”, A. Gabrielli’s “Magnificat” for 3 choirs, G. Gabrielli’s “Magnificat” for 2 choirs, Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” and “Missa Brevis”, Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”, Fauré’s “Requiem”, Poulenc’s “Gloria”, Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols”, Vaughan Williams’s “Five Mystical Songs”, Fanshawe’s “African Sanctus” (excerpts), Bizet’s “Carmen” (excerpts).
The Marionettes have provided the chorus for several opera productions, including Mozart’s “Magic Flute” and “Marriage of Figaro”, and have staged substantial segments of Broadway musicals, operas and operettas such as “West Side Story”, “Porgy and Bess”, “Les Miserables”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, "Aida", "Hairspray", Ragtime", and others.
TOURS
1965: Grenada; Barbados; and St Vincent
1967: Curaçao; Jamaica; New York, U.S.A (United Nations); Toronto and Montreal (Carifta Expo ‘67) in Canada
1969: Grenada (Carifta Expo ‘69)
1981: London, England (Commonwealth Institute); Llangollen, Wales (International Eisteddfod)
1984: London, England; Cork, Ireland (Cork International Choral Festival)
1992: London (sold-out concert at St. Martin-in-the-Fields), Middlesbrough (International Choral Festival), York, and Cambridge in England; Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland
1997: Miami, Mansfield College (Pennsylvania), Philadelphia, Washington DC (Hall of the Americas), Princeton University, New York (Medgar Evers College)
2004: San Jose and Limon, Costa Rica
RECORDINGS
To Music (1972, LP)
The Marionettes Live at Queen’s Hall (1989, cassette)
Voices & Steel, with All Stars Steel Orchestra (1995, CD)
A Christmas Album (1998, CD)
Good News (2002, CD)
Sing Noel (2007, CD)
AWARDS
Humming Bird Medal (Gold) for its outstanding contribution to music in Trinidad & Tobago (1987)
Keys to the City of Port of Spain (1992)
Port of Spain Corporation Achievement Award for sterling contribution to the field of music (1999)
Trinidad & Tobago Icon (History Makers) Award for distinguished service to Trinidad & Tobago (2002)
Trinidad & Tobago I.B.C. Inc. (Independence Ball Committee, Miami, FL, U.S.A) Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts and Culture of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (2006)
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO MUSIC FESTIVAL PRIZES
1980:
Ashdown Cup (Best religious open choir over 20 singers)
Lion’s Trophy (Most Outstanding Choir of the Festival)
JCC Cup (Best Adult Choir)
1968:
Mary Elizabeth Evans Cup for Best Religious & Church Choir
Merchants Trophy for Best Adult ‘X’ Class Choir
Olive Walke Shield for Best All Round Choir
Founder’s Trophy (May Johnstone Commemoration Trophy) for Most Outstanding Performance of the Festival
1966
JCC Cup for Best Adult Choir
Mary Elizabeth Evans Cup for Best Religious & Church Choir
1964
JCC Cup for Best Adult Choir
INTERNATIONAL PRIZES
Ruth Railton Prize for the most outstanding contribution by a visiting group at the Cork International Choral and Dance Festival (Ireland, 1984)
2nd place in Madrigal Choirs at the Cork International Choral and Dance Festival (Ireland, 1984)
2nd place in Mixed Choirs Cork International Choral and Dance Festival (Ireland, 1984)
2nd place in Mixed Choirs at the Middlesbrough International Choral Festival (England, 1992)
Wow! You all finally got a webpage up! Thanks for letting me know. You've accomplished so much and I'm proud to have been a small part of it for a few years. Keep on singing!!
