ICYMI: ChOPiN, Ikoyi Club Evening of Classics kicks off gloriously

Lagosians are now in for a really glorious time courtesy of the Evening of Classics packaged by music maestro, Lanre Delano, Chief Executive Officer, Church Organ Projects in Nigeria (ChOPiN), and the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938.

The maiden edition held on Sunday June 6, 2021 at The Rotunda, Ikoyi Club and it more than lived up to its billing as everyone in attendance had an overly good time so much so that Delano, popularly known as LD, promised that the next one would be even much better as only the best is good enough for the Ikoyi Club.

Slated to start by 5pm and end 6.30pm, the guests were transported into the classical mood promised by the EoC by preamble performances which had Victor Ashaolu reciting Amazing Grace on the organ followed by Biodun Falode reciting also on the organ the two pieces: Radio Nigeria Is Back and Oni Dodo, Oni Moin-Moin.

Their performances were introduced by Delano, and they didn’t disappoint but rather outdid themselves with their dexterity on the organ thereby setting the pace for what was to come as Delano then kicked off the event proper by introducing to the stage, Bolaji Martins, Entertainment Chairman, Ikoyi Club for his welcome address.

Speaking after it, Ademola Mumuney, Chairman, Ikoyi Club, said, “This Evening of Classics is part of what we felt we should bring up so that every Ikoyi Club member enjoys their membership. There’re a great deal of innovations we have for you entertainment-wise. We want to step things up a little bit higher and try to bring back what used to happen such that even if it’s not the same, it’ll be very close to it.”

Rounding up his keynote address with a passionate appeal for sponsorship of the EoC by the members and their companies, he concluded finally by recognizing the presence of Nollywood icon, Olu Jacobs, who was also in attendance.

Taking back the microphone, Delano expressed his pleasure at the EoC which he labeled as for matured minds and then introduced the first official performance, Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring by Biodun Batik on the trumpet and Falode on the organ.

Their set moved the EoC along at its exciting pace and kept everyone in need of more which the artistic director, Angela Loks, then came on stage to reveal as a vocal solo by the beautiful and charismatic soprano, Ifunanya, of two pieces, Climb Every Mountain from the popular musical movie, Sound Of Music, and You’ll Never Walk Alone, the Liverpool Football Club anthem.

Not to be outdone by her when it was his turn for his vocal solo, John Eclou faultlessly rendered My Way by Frank Sinatra and O Sole Mio.

In-between Ifunanya and Eclou’s solos, there was a medley of three classical hymns by Batik and Falode which Delano was so delighted with because Batik didn’t rehearse for it yet he hit all the right notes at the right time.

Getting the audience involved, Delano requested those of them that would like to sing to step up and do so.

The result was a couple of members taking everyone’s breaths away with their performances which was akin to those of professional musicians.

The evergreen piece, Don’t Worry, Be Happy, was the next song performed and it brought another dimension to the EoC as its rendition was led by the guitar.

Delano got everyone thrilled with a game of guess the national anthem with different national anthems played.

Femi Pedro, Ex-Deputy Governor, Lagos and the wife of the Vice-Chairman, Ikoyi Club were among those who got the answers right.

The game came to a stop with a patriotic performance of the Nigerian national anthem by all the guests.

A saxophone solo of the smash hit, Duduke by Simi prepared the way for the artistic director, Loks, to also perform with Delano introducing her as a worthy soprano and she proved it with a captivating rendition of I Feel Pretty.

Then the beautiful Ifunanya and Eclou came back with a duet of Time To Say Goodbye though people didn’t want to as they were having so much but they were consoled by the fact there would be more EoCs.

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