ScotiaSingers to tell Mary's Story

December 5, 2013 Scotiabank is set to delight patrons during the holiday season with the presentation of its annual carol service, and the opening of Mary's House, an entertainment zone for children; in Emancipation Park on Wednesday, December 11 starting at 6pm.

The carol service will take centre stage and delivered in the form of a dramatic production dubbed "Mary's Story", performed by the acclaimed ScotiaSingers. The group, comprised of present Scotiabank employees and retirees, is enjoying its 24th year together and what will be its 9th staging of its Christmas in the Park showcase. The event will also see the launch of Mary's House hosted by the ScotiaFoundation. The House will be opened from December 11 – 23, 6pm – 9pm daily providing entertainment and fun for children and families. Among the activities will be mini concerts and art and craft lessons in making Christmas cards.

This year, under the guidance of choir director Michael Leslie, the group will present its first dramatic narrative concert which will celebrate Mary's role in the nativity, beginning with her visit from the angel Gabriel and ending with the birth of Jesus. This show promises to be one of the group's most exciting holiday offerings yet, as it will tell this beautiful story through drama, music and movement.

The carol service will be an eclectic mix of season's classics with traditional and new arrangements, beloved Jamaican favourites and some original numbers. The production will also span a variety of musical genres that utilise popular music including modern gospel, reggae and calypso. It will also feature a rendition of the Hebrew song, "Be like Him", and a delightful musical solo from 8 year old Vaz Prep Student, Drew Buchannan who will deliver the Whitney Houston's version of 'Who Would Imagine a King.'

In addition, the story will be told by way of dramatic narration supported by a live backing band, dance choreographed by Kevin Moore of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) and a set designed by Bert Rose & Company.

Since coming together in 1989, The Scotia Singers has established itself as versatile and sought after ensemble. The annual Christmas concert has become a highly anticipated event on the Emancipation Park's calendar.

About Scotiabank:
Scotiabank has been in Jamaica since 1889 and is the premier financial institution in the country with just over 2,000 employees and 34 Branches Island wide. Scotiabank is a subsidiary of Scotiabank Group which offers a diverse range of products and services including personal, commercial, and small business banking; wealth management; insurance; and mortgages. The Group is an award winning institution having been named on numerous occasions as the Bank of the Year and Best Bank in Jamaica by international financial publications - the Banker, Latin Finance, Euromoney, and Global Finance magazines. The Scotiabank Group has $389 billion in assets (as at Oct 31, 2013). For more information please visit www.jamaica.scotiabank.com.

About ScotiaFoundation:
The Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation (ScotiaFoundation) supports nation-building through donations and interventions to improve education and health care, as well as, promote community development and environmental preservation. Consistent with its commitment to Established on February 13, 1996 with an endowment fund of J$100 million, ScotiaFoundation focuses on development, particularly of youth, through sports, education and health care. As a leading organization, the ScotiaFoundation also focuses on the environment through the Scotia Goes Green programme

About the ScotiaSingers:
The Scotia Singers began in 1989 as part of a chorale which came together to mark the Bank's 100th anniversary. Since then they have performed at numerous occasions and venues across the island, and in 20017 recorded "Bank Notes" a nine song album. The group is comprised of staff members and retirees from across the Group. They have rehearsed consistently every Wednesday since inception.