Noel Dexter to be Honoured in New York

The Bronx Concert Singers (BCS) will celebrate the work of noted Jamaican musicologist, composer and director Noel Dexter on May 14 at the Hostos Community College in New York. His wife, award winning Soprano Beverly Dexter, will also accompany him.
Frances Ciurcina, President of BCS, spoke of the excitement surrounding the upcoming gala concert.
“We are very excited about performing Noel Dexter’s music and bringing this celebration of Caribbean culture to New Yorkers,” she said, noting that “this programme represents our mission to act as an agent for cultural enrichment and musical excellence.”
Geoffrey Fairweather, Music Director of the Bronx Concert Singers and long time friend of the Dexters, spoke with JIS News about Mr. Dexter’s many achievements.
“As an old friend and colleague of Noel Dexter, I am thrilled to be able to pay due tribute to this outstanding Jamaican musician.Noel and I have been conducting choirs for decades and I can say that I am always challenged by him and the standard of choral excellence that he has achieved,” Mr. Fairweather stated.
He added, “One of the features about Dexter’s compositions is the way that he can infuse that Jamaican flavour into his rhythms and melodies to add just the right spice. His music is never vulgar, always sweet.and I am sure that all who attend the concert will receive a boonoonoonoos taste of the Jamaican sound.”
Currently the Director of the University Singers, a position he has held since 1977, Mr. Dexter is the former Director of Music at the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus). His repertoire includes sacred songs, folk songs, anthems and music for theatrical productions, many of which highlight the Jamaican language and Afro-Caribbean Rhythms.
Mr. Dexter has received numerous awards, chief among them the Silver Musgrave Medal and the Order of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica.
The concert will also include choral presentations by Edward Margetson, a St. Kitts native, who composed in New York in the early 1900’s.