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The Marionettes Chorale of Trinidad and Tobago is one of the oldest performing arts organisations in the Caribbean.〔("Profiles of Caribbean Artistry: Caribbean Chorale" by Rosa Hill, excerpted from ''Caribbean Beat'' magazine (July-August 1999) )〕 Formed in 1963, the choir has toured the Caribbean; North and Central America; and Great Britain; has won prizes at music festivals both in Trinidad & Tobago and internationally; has recorded seven albums; and received local awards. Founded in 1963 by Jocelyn Pierre and June Williams-Thorne,〔("Marionettes Chorale Marks 45 Years", in ''Trinidad Newsday'', 30 October 2008 )〕 the choir has been led since 1974 by Gretta Taylor〔("An enduring musical love affair", in the ''Trinidad Guardian WomanWise'' magazine, 27 November 2005 )〕 (née Francis) as conductor and artistic director; and founder member Joanne Mendes as secretary and production manager. Susan Dore (née David) served as assistant musical director 1974-2011, and was succeeded by Dr. Roger Henry. The choir has been sponsored by BP Trinidad & Tobago (then Amoco) since 1972,〔(BP Trinidad & Tobago website )〕 and formed a Youth Chorale in 1995 and a Children's Choir in 2012. The group was incorporated as a non-profit in 2005. ==History== The Marionettes was initially formed to compete in the 1964 Trinidad & Tobago Music Festival, and claims to be the first choir formed after the islands' independence in 1962.〔("The Marionettes Chorale Marks 45 Years", TriniBeat.com )〕 The group competed intermittently in the local Music Festival until 1980, and retired unbeaten.〔(The Marionettes Chorale )〕 They were awarded the prize for the Most Outstanding Choir each time they competed, and other awards included the May Johnstone Commemorative Trophy for the Most Outstanding Performer of the Festival. Between 1981 and 1992, the choir competed internationally at choral festivals in the United Kingdom: Llangollen, Wales (1981); Cork, Ireland (1984); and Middlesbrough, England (1992), winning four prizes. In addition to competitive tours, the Chorale also completed non-competitive tours in the Caribbean (Curaçao, Grenada, St Vincent, Barbados, Jamaica), and in North America and Central America (New York, Toronto, Montreal, Miami, Philadelphia〔("Trinidad chorus brings island music to mainland, mainstream audience" in ''The Digital Collegian'', Pennsylvania State University, 19 September 1997 )〕 Washington DC, and Costa Rica). The Marionettes have performed at venues including St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, the York Assembly Rooms, and the Hall of the Americas in Washington; and for dignitaries including Lord Browne and Colin Powell, delegates from CARICOM, the Organization of American States and the British Commonwealth. In 1995, the choir founded a Youth Chorale for young singers aged 11-26, from over 30 local schools. The Youth Chorale is also supported by bpTT. In 2001, the Chorale began a fund-raising campaign to build its own rehearsal and performance hall, and formalised its status as a non-profit organisation in 2005. The Chorale produces at least two major productions per year in Trinidad & Tobago, in the middle of the year and in December, usually at the Queen's Hall in Port of Spain. It also presents concerts in aid of local charities,〔("Marionettes sing Noel for charity" by Patricia James in the ''Trinidad Guardian'', 20 December 2006 )〕 and guests〔("Moving music from Signal Hill" by Angela Pidduck in the ''Trinidad Newsday'', 23 June 2009 )〕 at local events. In 2008-09, it celebrated its 45th anniversary, and 35 years of leadership by Taylor,〔("Celebrating the music of the Marionettes" in the ''Trinidad Newsday'', 22 June 2009 )〕 Dore and Mendes. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Marionettes Chorale」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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