Cleophas R.E. Adderley, Composer of 'Missa Caribe' & first Bahamian Grand Opera, 'Our Boys'

[Cleophas R.E. Adderley]

The International Journal of Bahamian Studies, Vol 17, No 1 (2011) features a fascinating and in-depth interview with a leading classical music composer in the Bahamas, Cleophas R.E. Adderley. The interview was conducted March 23, 2011 by two students and Prof. Christine Gangelhoff of The College of The Bahamas. It is titled From Classical To Calyspo: An Interview with Bahamian Composer and Conductor, Cleophas R. E. Adderley by Christine Gangelhoff, Ruebendero Gibson and Crashan Johnson.

We also present excerpts from an interview which appeared in the blog Native Stew:

“Native Stew

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Cleophas R.E. Adderley - Distinguished director, composer

By Staff Writer, For the Guardian

Cleophas Adderley was born in Nassau, Bahamas. He received his elementary education at Western Junior School and secondary education at the Government High School. He went on to study at the University of the West Indies where he received his L.L.B (Hons). He was called to the Bahamas Bar in 1980. Adderley also studied orchestration.”

“Mr. Adderley is a pillar in the cultural development of The Bahamas. After some 14 years working the field of law, first in the private practice and then as the legal advisor at the offices of the Attorney General, he became the Founder/Director of the Bahamas National Youth Choir.” “Mr. Adderley also serves as the Director of the Senior Choir of the Parish Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Founder and Director of the National Choir of The Bahamas, former Director of Culture and the Executive Director of National Musical Heritage and Research.

“Mr. Adderley is also an accomplished composer. He is the composer of the first Bahamian grand opera 'Our Boys,' which is also the first opera to have been written and performed in the English-speaking Caribbean. He is also the composer of the first Bahamian Concert Mass, 'Missa Caribe'.

“Also to his credit he composed the music and rhythms for the play 'You Can Lead A Horse to Water' by Winston Saunders which played to rave critical acclaim locally; in San Francisco; at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland and at Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Adderley has written and arranged music for piano, pipe organ, choir and solo voice. Some of his choral compositions have been published by Hal Leonard Corporation, the largest publisher of choral music in the United States. Mr. Adderley has also produced numerous commercial compact discs of choral music. Additionally, he produced and conceived the cultural show for the Opening Ceremonies of the 1995 and 1998 Bahamas Games.”