And Tina Insanally’s legacy of music
The Book of Ecclesiastes in the Holy Bible says that there is a purpose and a time for everything under Heaven.
When young, vibrant, loving and absolutely beloved Tina Insanally died, with a future bright with promise to look forward to, that purpose was questioned by everyone who loved her; but then the clarity of that purpose evolved with the coming into being of the Tina Insanally Foundation, with a mission to “ …enhance the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across Guyana, through exposure to music, provision of resources and educational opportunities.”
At a Christmas concert held at the Theatre Guild on Sunday December 19, Tina’s eldest sister, Sarah, said: “The Tina Insanally Foundation has been established in honour of our baby sister, Tina, whom we lost in August of this year.
“Inspired by Tina’s love of music and commitment to volunteering, the Foundation works to bring music into the lives of children who might otherwise not be exposed to this beautiful medium.
“Our goal is to develop programmes to build an appreciation of music and to nurture talent wherever we find it.
“So far, we have established programmes at the RC Convalescent Home, S. Ann’s Orphanage and St. John’s Bosco Home and we plan on extending our reach nationwide, because all children deserve to have music in their lives.”
The concert was directed by Vinode Ramsammy and Diana Burrowes.  Diana, who was born to Guyanese parents in Canada, is an extremely talented and accomplished vocalist and her contributions to the programme included the very difficult Ave Maria (A capella), I know my Redeemer liveth (A capella), which she rendered as solos.  She also conducted several of the presentations and lent her voice to medleys.
The first item was the Maria Celebramos by the Full Choir of the St. Ann’s Orphanage, which was followed by a Steelpan Medley by the boys of the St. John’s Bosco Orphanage led by Colgrain Whyte.
The radiant faces of the children as they sang the carols and wrung exquisite music from the steelpans reflected so much inner joy that blended with the cadences of the beautiful music that they were making.
The Dominion Dancers, St. Ambrose Youth Club, and the Unique Arts Juniors from the Unique Arts Group next mesmerized the audience with their graceful, well-choreographed dance movements under the direction of Kelton Jennings, as group after group took to the stage and danced to the medley of Joy to the World, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Butterfly Christmas, and Resurrection.
Vinode Ramsammy then joined the combined choirs of St. Ann’s and St. John’s under the baton of Diana Burrowes in a foot-tapping medley of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Up on the Rooftop, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Silver Bells.
Nine-year-old Joshua Richmond, who resides on the East Coast of Demerara and is currently a Grade Four pupil of the Latchmansingh Primary School is totally blind in one eye, but listening to Joshua sing is such a transcending experience that one tends to forget his physical limitations.
From the age of three, Joshua displayed a talent for singing and his musical ability was encouraged and facilitated, especially by his musician father, Godfrey Richmond.
At five years of age, Joshua made his first public singing appearance at his nursery school graduation programme.  Since then he has represented Region 5 twice at the Children’s Calypso Competition, coming 2nd at his first attempt and winning the competition the second year.
Joshua is very versatile and is also, apart from vocals, learning to play the keyboard and steelpan.
Having been born with cataract in both eyes, Joshua lost complete vision in one eye, even after a number of surgical interventions and a regimen of treatments over the years.  Sadly he has recently been diagnosed as having glaucoma in his good eye.
However, despite of the enduring pain and the unrelenting problems with his vision, Joshua courageously and joyously uses his gift of music to radiate light into the lives of others, and in his usual uplifting, spirited way he fittingly sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “Little Christmas Tree.”  Joshua was accompanied by his dad on the saxophone.
Joshua’s dad then enthralled the audience with a saxophone solo, playing “Joy to the World like the great Satchmo himself.  Godfrey Richmond started playing music in the 1990’s as a trumpeter with the Yoruba Singers and a keyboard player with the Mischievous Guys, but family priorities necessitated he relegate his music to the greater need of providing for his family; so he took a break for a while.  Currently he plays the saxophone at weddings and other social gatherings.
Next Elisha Adams enchantingly rendered “The Christmas Gift” and “Go tell it on the mountain” while he accompanied himself on the keyboard.  A special friend and mentor of Tina’s, Elisha, plays almost any instrument and has been in the field of music for almost fifteen years. His love of and facility for music has led him to establish a school of music on North Road.
Auntie Lorraine transformed the stage of the Theatre Guild with her dramatized poetry, all of which cleverly interwove gems of lessons of right things to do and right pathways to walk for the children.  She captivated not only the kids, but the adults as well with her dramatics.
The combined choirs, with Diana and Vinode, under the baton of Diana, brought the programme to a close with “O Come all ye faithful,” “Silent Night”, and “We wish you a Merry Christmas.”
Diana Burrowes used the occasion to present an upright piano to the Tina Insanally Foundation.
At various times the chorists were accompanied by Mark, Lee, and Vinode on guitars, and Elisha Adams on the Piano.
Stage manager was Kyle Isaacs, while Godfrey Chin and Kelvin Copeland supervised the décor, lights and sound.
The magical evening came to an end too soon and guests reluctantly wended their way out to the foyer of the Theatre Guild, where they were treated to refreshments and kiddie bags.
Tina’s sister Lisa, during her introduction had said “What you will see on stage tonight is a combination of performances by very talented and seasoned musicians and singers and performances by children who have only been singing together for a few weeks; but the amazing results you will enjoy are to the credit of Programme Co-ordinator, Mr. Vinode Ramsammy, an accomplished musician, teacher and performer, and volunteers Diana Burrowes, Mark Lee and many others.
“We are very excited at what the kids and performers have been able to accomplish in such a short time, and we are pleased to be able to share this with you.  We hope that you will enjoy Tina Insanally’s Gift of Music.”
As the angelic voices lifted to the Heavens somewhere the blithe, irrepressibly joyful spirit of Tina danced in joy.
“Christmas Magic” was an interlude of peace and serenity and an oasis of tranquility and sublime music to soothe the soul in the mad race of the world as it pursues existence.
Establishing the Tina Insanally Foundation, with all its intentions and expectations, and all that it encompasses and encapsulates, is the most fitting tribute by way of which the Insanally family could celebrate the life of their very beautiful and gifted Tina.
As long as there is music in the world Tina’s spirit would live on.