The saying goes that charity begins at home — but the Marionettes believe that, especially during challenging times like these, it must not end there. In July, during their Hearts Beat Together series, we raised funds for the restoration of All Saints and Holy Rosary churches in Port of Spain; the unfinished church of the Uganda Martyrs in Longdenville (through the Church of St Philip and St James in Chaguanas); and outreach works in the parish of La Romaine.
The Marionettes give a fundraising performance of “Hearts Beat Together” at and for the Holy Rosary Church
This Christmas season, part proceeds of our anticipated Christmas concert, Sing Alleluia (December 8-11 at Queen’s Hall) will go to the Living Water Community. Their far-reaching programmes range from housing and clothing to food and medical care, and serve the homeless, cancer patients, refugees, HIV/AIDS sufferers, at-risk young men, recovering addicts, and neglected and abused children.
But this isn’t the only charity work that Sing Alleluia allows the choir to engage in. As we do every year, we will be hosting a special matinée performance over the weekend, in partnership with title sponsor bpTT. “The highlight of the Marionettes Christmas concert series for me each year is the opportunity presented to my family to join in working with my fellow employees and other volunteers in hosting the special matinée performance for senior citizens and challenged children from caretaker institutions across the country,” said Regional President of bpTT Norman Christie. The series is also supported by Flow and CNMG: the Caribbean New Media Group (Sweet 100.1FM, TalkCity 91.1FM, and CTV).
The Marionettes is also raising funds for our Property Fund so as to finally, after over 50 years, build a home of our own for rehearsal, performance, and storage (sheet music, archival material, instruments, sets, and costumes). It is a space we can also share with the wider national community, as secure and well-equipped rehearsal space is sparse across the country. Since 2001, we have been working hard to achieve this dream through multiple fundraising efforts. With a plot of land and approvals from all requisite authorities, all they need now is the funding.
Aerial plans of the Marionettes property in Port of Spain
While we welcome individual and corporate contributions or pledges of products and services, one of the best and easiest ways to support the group is through our cherished annual Christmas concert. As has become a much-loved Christmas tradition in Trinidad, and under the batons of Gretta Taylor (Hummingbird Medal Gold) and Dr Roger Henry, the group’s adult, Youth and Children’s choirs return to Queen’s Hall with an uplifting, rhythmic, and fun-filled programme of classical, spirituals, gospel, and popular local and international Christmas favourites.
Tickets ($150 to $300) for Sing Alleluia are available from members and at the Queen’s Hall Box Office (624-1284, 10am–5:30pm, Monday–Saturday). For more information, the Marionettes can be contacted at orders@marionetteschorale.com and 790-1751 (9am–5pm, Monday–Saturday).
