Both Sides of The Coin: The Story of The Central Bank of Barbados 1972-2017

198 the group and on December 23, 1988, the Choir, accompanied by Governor King on the Steinway concert grand piano, gave its first performance in the Hall at the Bank’s Christmas party. However, by May 1989 Bank Notes , the staff magazine, reported that members were not turning up for practice. After a period of relative inactivity performances restarted on December 16, 1992, when the group went carolling and distributing gifts through Church Village, an event dubbed Christmas in the City . This event took place every Christmas thereafter until the residents in that area were relocated in preparation for the redevelopment project. The Christmas season was usually a busy time for the Choir, with the Frank Collymore Hall being the venue for many of its appearances. The choir was perhaps better known for its performances at Easter. Its rendition of Stainer’s Crucifixion at St. Ambrose’s Church in Bridgetown was broadcast frequently on television during the Easter weekend for many years. A time came when Bank staff were no longer the majority of members, but this helped to extend the life of the group while efforts were made to recruit more staff members. After the release of its Amazing Love CD in 2006 the ‘choir’ changed to ‘chorale’, on the suggestion that choir, a church group rendering mainly sacred music, did not do justice to its wide repertoire, ranging from classics to calypso. Notwithstanding the name change, sacred music continued to be a favourite of the chorale. Over the years the choir/chorale made appearances at a variety of events (choir festivals, weddings, Christmas parties, anniversary The Central Bank Choir/Chorale performing in the Frank Collymore Hall.