In 375BC, Plato wrote: “Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.”

And herein lies the conflict. After experiencing the Bermuda School of Music’s Spring Concert at St John’s Church, Pembroke, I left bearing the weight of an acute dilemma: do I review the performances, or do I advocate for the edifying aspects of music in education? The Spring Concert was an eclectic, wide-ranging and a wonderful offering for any music lover.

“I wanted to connect sacred music from Handel, Mozart and Spirituals and also include secular music; going from the Baroque right through to Broadway. It’s a broad spectrum musically which hopefully people will enjoy,” offered musical director, Marjorie Pettit.

Divine hymns opened the concert with Hubert Parry’s regal setting of Psalm 122 and Handel’s “Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened, which is based on Psalm 89. This music is traditionally played at British coronations and other royal events.

Composed in 1791 for his friend, Mozart’s clarinet concerto is a musical masterpiece for the instrument. Soloist Lisa Maule played with a poignant beauty which was a testament to her control and elegant phrasing.

Likewise, Robert Schumann’s Widmung was a wedding gift to his wife. Tenor Euan Forster and accompanist, Anne Marshall showed why this song is celebrated as one of the most revered love songs in classical music.

The significance of spirituals and their place in western musical culture cannot be overemphasised. Spirituals were often codified expressions of hope and resilience, expressions of faith and a way to communicate clandestine plans. The highlights in the “suite” of spirituals was Balm in Gilead and the rendition of John Rutter’s arrangement of When the Saints Go Marching In.

The performances to this point in the programme were richly emotional given the fine balance between repertoire, voices and even venue.

Compositions by Mozart are universally praised as “brilliant”. His Laudate Dominium is hailed as one of his best solos and Isabella Moniz performed it with the required operatic flourishes and a colouring of sacred grace that simply resonated throughout St John’s.

The BSoM Youth Choir joined the concert after intermission. Folk songs, Disney Dazzle and The Sound of Music – I was not prepared for this portion of the programme. I remembered so clearly, the headteacher of Bishop Spencer School, Gwendolyn Robinson, taking my class to the Rosebank Theatre to see the film – The Sound of Music. The wave of nostalgia and the flood of memories had an unexpected emotional impact on me. It took a Herculean effort not to stand and join in with arms outstretched and singing at the top of my voice!

Especially with these songs, the Youth Choir could have been better utilised to infuse a required level of zestfulness and joie de vivre to the Rodgers and Hammerstein songs. It should be noted, the average age of the young people performing was between 8 and 18.

Pettit’s passion for the Spring Concert is palpable as she enthused: “I think choral singing is very important because it’s an instrument that you have — you have a voice; and you don’t have to purchase an expensive instrument. You’ve already got it and I think that makes singing as a pastime accessible to every child and every adult.”

So, how iconic is Beethoven’s Ode To Joy? His original manuscript of the 9th Symphony was designated of universal value when it was submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s Memory of the World Register. In fairness, the concert programme detailed the context of Paul Mealor’s arrangement of Ode To Joy. To my ear, this arrangement was like putting eye shadow, rouge and lipstick on the Mona Lisa and calling it an enhancement. Harsh? Let’s not lose sight of the fact Walter Murphy, a Mealor friend, had a sensational disco hit derived from Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. So, there you go.

While music is many things to many people we cannot lose sight of the purpose and goal of the BSoM’s Spring Concert. It is a major event in its musical programmes. It is an opportunity for its students to showcase their talents and abilities and the intangibles for the performers are extensive.

Let’s touch on the advocacy for music in education. It is irrefutable that music and child development go hand in hand.

The benefits range from optimised social skills, academic performance and enhanced physical abilities. Music can mold children into thoughtful and adaptable adults who may possess innate positive values. Music education fosters and facilitates creativity, higher sensitivity, empathy and critical thinking. Music enriches and enhances education.

Musically, the Spring Concert delivered it all; music in a great venue and in a great atmosphere. The programme was wonderfully varied and engaging and the audience was enthused by the performances that created a memorable experience for all.

The applause was well earned and well deserved!