A faulty microphone threatened to ruin what was to be one of the standout moments of the 2017 Musgrave medal presentation ceremony on Thursday at the Institute of Jamaica in downtown Kingston.The recipients of the silver Musgrave medals — reggae veteran Freddie McGregor, writer Tanya Shirley and scientist Professor Daniel Coore — had just been presented with their insignia and it was time for a little entertainment.
The Nexus Performing Arts Company took to the stage to perform the Big Ship Suite, a medley of hits by honoree Freddie McGregor. As the choir belted out Let Them Try, group leader Hugh Douse invited McGregor to join then on stage, and he did. However, the microphone squeaked and threatened to ruin the moment. Undaunted, McGregor continued with Nexus as they went through the string of hits, offering lead vocals on some tracks and blending in with the harmonies on others. By the final note the audience showed its appreciation and McGregor was visibly honoured by the tribute in song.
Music seemed to provide another notable moment as, in tribute to the awardees, jazz chanteuse and 2015 Silver Musgrave medallist Dr Myrna Hague-Bradshaw brought the audience inside the lecture hall of the institute to its feet after she masterfully delivered a rendition of The Impossible Dream, accompanied by pianist Marjorie Whylie.
In her response on behalf of the awardees, Shirley too drew on music to express the joy and pleasure of being honored by their fellow Jamaicans.
“Thank you all. For even this one moment you have made us all feel like big ships sailing on the ocean,” she said drawing on the refrain from the song Big Ship by silver awardee McGregor.
Six outstanding Jamaicans were recognised for their works in areas of the arts, science and literature in a ceremony that goes back to 1889. The award was founded as a memorial to former Governor of Jamaica Sir Anthony Musgrave, who founded the Institute of Jamaica in 1879.
This year there was one gold medal recipient, Professor Herbert Ho Ping Kong, who was recognized for his contribution to science. A medical doctor, he currently resides in Canada and could not make it for the ceremony. Bronze medals were presented to Ambassador Dr Basil K Bryan for literature and Eleanor Jones for science.
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