The music for the National Service of Thanksgiving, which is being led by the Ministry of People Empowerment & Elder Affairs and scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, November 28, 2021, has been carefully chosen to reflect Barbadian worship.
The service, which can be viewed on the Prime Minister’s Office official You Tube channel, various other platforms and on CBC Television, begins at 10:00 a.m. Coverage will however begin at 9:00 a.m.
The hymns chosen were a selection of old and new Barbadian favorites. These include the hymns “Joyful, Joyful We Adore thee,” “The Right Hand of God,” “I will lift my Eyes to the Hill,” and“O Jesus I have Promised,” and “I Vow to The my Country” as well as the anthem, “It is Good to Give Thanks to God,” “Psalm 92” and Red Plastic Bag’s “I’m Alive!”.
The service will also feature arrangements of Barbadian musician, Roger Gittens. Gittens is an influential music teacher, composer, arranger, and pianist. He is as comfortable with church music and the classics as with calypso and jazz.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the prestigious Berklee College of Music and a master’s in music education from the University of North Texas. He will be later joined by Kellie Cadogan on vocals.
The music of the Royal Barbados Police Force Band is renowned throughout the world and an inherent part of Barbadian culture. A prominent musical ensemble in Barbados since its foundation in 1889, it is loved by Barbadians and visitors alike and is one of the oldest police bands in the world.
Under the baton of Musical Director Sr. Superintendent Andrew Lynch, this event will be among the last at which the Band will play under that name, as the country transitions to a Parliamentary Republic.
Made up of several singing groups and organisations on the island, an assembled choir will lead the hybrid physical and virtual congregation in worship.
For the patriotic hymn, “I Vow to Thee My Country” a special third verse, penned by H.E Henrietta Elizabeth Thompson, to mark the Solemn Inauguration of our National Heroes, will be sung.
When asked about the inspiration of this additional verse, Ambassador Thompson stated “I thought something more was needed at the time. Something that made it ours – A tribute to our heroes. It is a recognition that ours is a country with honour and with heroes. It is a recognition of our sovereignty, sacrifice and success!”