The Marionettes Chorale brings back its much-loved July concert series from 10 to 12 July, this year themed Together We Stand. The production draws together classical, gospel, spirituals, musical theatre, pop favourites, soca and calypso in a programme built around one idea: that music can hold people together when so much else seems to be pulling them apart.

The title borrows from two sources close to the Chorale’s heart. It nods to “Stand Together”, the piece that closes the first half of the show, and to our own national anthem and watchwords, “side by side we stand” and “together we aspire, together we achieve”. The concert closes on “Take Me Home” by Freetown Collective, inspired by David Rudder’s “High Mas” and named Calypso of the Year 2025.

For Artistic and Musical Director Gretta Taylor, who has led the Chorale for over 50 years, the theme responds directly to what she sees happening in the world around her. “The world is now, sadly, overwhelmed by the depressing reality of wars, materialism, deprivation. Love of self has, in no uncertain way, replaced concern for the other,” Taylor said. “Blessed with a wide range of talent from both the Youth and Senior chorales, our main theme in Together We Stand is hope and the promise that, through the God-given gift of music, we can rise above all negativity and divisiveness.”

Taylor conducts alongside fellow conductors Dr Nathan Nagir and Joshua Joseph, who both return for this series. Nagir, who has spent the past year working alongside Taylor as guest conductor, described the production as a natural extension of that collaboration. “Stepping into the role of guest conductor alongside Maestra Gretta Taylor over the past year has been an absolute joy and Together We Stand feels like the culmination of that shared energy,” Nagir said. “The repertoire we’ve built is a testament to the power of unity, spanning from the timeless brilliance of Ludwig van Beethoven to a favourite arrangement of ‘Let the River Run’ by my former professor and now colleague, Grammy Award winner Dr Craig Hella Johnson.”

“At its core, this concert is a response to the world around us. Inspired after Jim Papoulis’ moving work ‘Stand Together’, it is a reminder that despite the challenges and friction we see daily in Trinidad & Tobago, across our CARICOM neighbours and globally, music demands that we find common ground,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of what The Marionettes Chorale has achieved and this is just the beginning as we look forward to continuing this vibrant collaboration into the Christmas season.”

The stage brings together soloists and ensembles from across the adult and Youth Chorale, including Jacqueline Johnson and Maegan McGrane (née Pollonais).

Two guests join the line-up. Payge Turner returns, this time cycling through different instruments in the orchestra with her boundless energy. Making a special appearance is countertenor Jeremiah Matthias. Countertenors remain rare on local stages and will be a genuine treat for audiences.

Showtimes:

• Friday 10th July 2026, 7:00pm
  Saturday 11th July 2026, 7:00pm
  Sunday 12th July 2026, 5:00pm

Tickets are $250 and are available from members, via www.marionetteschorale.com/tickets and at the Central Bank Box Office: (868) 612-6345. For further information, email: orders@marionetteschorale.com or WhatsApp: (868) 790-1751.

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