How do we sum up the last 18 years of love, of joy, of music? How do we honour a light that has shone so brightly for us and so many? And how on earth do we now say goodbye?
Hermina Bynoe Charles’ voice was exquisite — warm and rich, like velvet. Like a hug. Like a balm. Like her. From her rich lower notes — earning her the “honorary alto” title from the contralto section — to her luminous high notes, she had one of the most exceptional voices these islands have ever produced.
And yet, she remained who she always was: grounded, humble, kind, funny, generous to a fault, profoundly selfless, and completely free of ego or expectation. She had a lethal wit, an irrepressible sense of fun, a tremendous sense of humour. Her heart was huge: if people needed her, or asked anything of her, she would show up for them in each and every way she could, no matter what it cost her.
We will miss her terribly. We will miss that glorious voice, and us gathering to listen to her backstage and sidestage to hear what new magic she would bring to each performance — because no two were the same. We will miss gettin’ buff for bursting out laughing in rehearsal because she’d muttered some funny comment under her breath while keeping an angelic, innocent expression on her face so no-one could guess she was the instigator. We will miss her making us cry in rehearsal with soul-stirring singing in one moment — only to be wining to soca by the snack shop on the street corner in the next.
She was one of one.
We know there are countless people across these islands who are grieving with us, and we extend our deepest condolences to all who loved her — and extend our special thanks to those who cared for her so faithfully in these difficult months.
We all so wish we could hear her sing, hear her laugh, to make music and memories with her again. But she has been called to greater stages. What an honour and joy it has been to walk with her for a time. And we will keep that legacy alive by posting as many of her performances as we can in the days to come — to Youtube, Facebook, Instagram. Even now, her voice brings us comfort.
We love you, Hermina. We give thanks for you. We will miss you. And we will remember and honour you, always. Until we meet, and sing, again, we take comfort in two of the songs she moved us so deeply with, and which so sum up everything Hermina was.
“If I can help somebody as I pass along
If I can cheer somebody with a word or a song
If I can show somebody he is travelling wrong
Then my living shall not be in vain”
— “If I Can Help Somebody” by Alma B. Adrozzo
“When you walk through the storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
There’s a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark
Walk on, through the wind
Walk on, through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone”
— Rogers & Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (from Carousel)
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