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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 Hall of the Americas in Washington.
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 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 north 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 and operettas such as Bernstein’s “West Side Story”, Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess”, Schoenberg’s “Les Miserables”, Bock/Harnick’s “Fiddler on the Roof”, Lloyd-Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” and “Jesus Christ Superstar”.
