About Pine Forge Academy Choir:  The Pine Forge Academy Choir consists of over 90 members representing talented, experienced and dedicated young men and women ranging from ages 13 through 18, who not only excel musically, but academically. Choir members come from all over the United States and other countries of the world. Each member brings to this organization his or her own unique personality and background. Blended together, they project an outstanding musical excellence that elevates and inspires listeners. The choir is noted for its full, rich and powerful harmonious quality. They proclaim God's goodness through spirituals, gospels, anthems and a classical repertoire.  To learn more about Pine Forge visit their website; to order or download their music, visit their DigStation page. 

Click here to listen to several of their musical selections while you read the interview with their conductor, Jason Ferdinand.

When did you first start singing or dreaming of conducting? 

What a blessing it was for me to spend my most of my childhood and into my early teens, on the campus of Caribbean Union College (now University of the Southern Caribbean).  In that era the campus was buzzing with music and there was always a musical thrill to behold.  Hard to say when I started singing formally, as it seems to have always been a part of me growing up at home. In our household my parents were lovers of the native music such as calypso, some Bob Marley and his reggae etc.  Then my dad would turn around and play the King’s College Choir, Frank Sinatra.  So music was always a huge part. 

I started piano lessons at age 6 and I will always be thankful for that skill.  Composing and arranging, became a part of me at about 10 when I sang in a sextet we had called “Young 6” We did Take 6 arrangements then started doing our own.  A friend and I challenged ourselves weekly, wherein we picked 3 songs and by the end of the week we would see what each other came up with.

You know it was after I got serious about conducting my parents shared this story with me.  They said I would go to the record player, figure out how to put the LP on, then I would get some object and as the music played I would look at them and say, “Look, I am RE-DUCTING!!” Could not even say the word!

Growing up did you have any favorite conductors or musicians?

Dr. Vernon Andrews, who served as president of Caribbean Union College in the 80’s was a fine musician.  He conducted choirs all the time and he was the first conductor I knew off and saw all the time.  Mr. David Francis was a student who came from England to study at the college. WOW!! This guy was a monster at jazz, gospel and harmony.  Thanks to him my advanced harmonic palette was equipped from about age 10.

Sometime in the early 1990’s my dad got a VHS of the Morgan State Choir, and every Friday night I looked at that. Every Friday Night!  That sound captivated me and at that time who would have known the impact the conductor would have on my life! Dr. Nathan Carter, I felt as though I knew him, long before I met him.

I fell in love with the original Breath of Life Quartet, Soulseekers, Garth Gabriel Singers, Wintley Phipps (who baptized me in Trinidad), Walter Arties as solo artist etc etc.  The one group that changed my life and I am a SERIOUS groupie to this day is Take 6.

What's the story behind you becoming Pine Forge's choir director?

Well, let me give the short version.  As I was concluding my studies at Oakwood College in 1999, I was contacted to at least apply as a search was out.  At that time I did not give it any thought really, as I was so looking forward to studying with Dr. Carter at Morgan State University. So I declined.  However, while I studied at Morgan, I would sometimes play for the Pine Forge Choir, of which Mrs. Toni Hall was the director. She always tried to pick my brain as to my coming to Pine Forge at some point and to be honest it was NEVER in my plan!

It has been seven years since you became a conductor, the choir has blessed many people around the world, who are some of the key people that help make this possible?

Well in answering this, we as the present choir, are always very mindful of all the conductors and choir members that came before us.  We have inherited a rich legacy.  All the faculty and staff at the academy help in various ways in our ministry serving as bus drivers, chaperones, medical support etc.  Their help is priceless

The key people would have to be:

Mrs. Diana Carguill – principal who brought me on board and gave me room to be creative, but at the same time ensuring that I grew in this academic role as I was so young.

Mrs. Toni Hall – who made my coming an easy one.  She served as Chair of the music department and we were fortunate to have her as the main accompanist for 6 of these 7 years. Her quiet spirit was a joy to have as she guided a young folk in their piano and theory studies. 

Mr. Neil Thomas – We have known each other since our time in Trinidad and Tobago. We lost touch for some time, but Neil started playing for the choir while he was still a teacher in New York. He then joined the academy as chair of the science department which has been a huge asset to the academy.  The last few years I have been based in Maryland, and he has been the glue on keeping things together.  If you have seen us in action, you will quickly realize what a great musical rapport we share.  We have grown into great friends in the process.

Music Faculty – Ms. Anika Sampson and Mrs. Kerri Williams, keep our young people in good vocal check, with their instruction.

Administration/Business Office – without them life would be miserable. Mr. Lawrence Martin and Ovillie Joseph have been a constant support.  Our current Headmistress, Mrs. Cynthia Poole-Gibson.

Parents/Groupies – the many supporters of the choir! WOW!!

What is the name of your most recent CD? 

Rock In A Weary Land.  This was recorded live at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington DC., with a 45 piece orchestra.  Dr. H. Beecher Hicks serves as Senior Servant, Rev. Nolan Williams, Minister of Music and Rev. Richard Smallwood, Artist in Residence.  Mr. Neil Thomas and I have been blessed and can sincerely say we have learned and have applied in the last three years, worship elements that are present an unique in that house of worship.

Is this your first CD?

In my tenure here at Pine Forge, we have been fortunate to record a number of projects. The first was done 3 months after my arrival in the form of a video recording in VHS format entitled, Always Remember.  Subsequently, there were many different live concert releases that we were fortunate to have released.  However, this album is the first large scale recording in which full orchestral forces were employed, gospel band, guest soloists, and a tremendous amount of logistical planning both pre and post concert.

Who else helped with this project and are you the director and producer?

When the decision was made to go ahead with this project, the choice of finding the right people outside of the academy to assist was not a hard one.  Over the years I have had certain mentors and I went straight to their source of wisdom.  I served as artistic director.  Adrian T. Westney and I served as the musical producers.  I have and will always continue to thank Mr. Westney for not only serving to give guidance on this project, but the mentoring spirit he had about it as well.  Our accompanist Mr. Neil Thomas and Sandra Entermann of Westpod Studios (Adrian T. Westney’s studio) served as assistant producers.  A project such as this is made so much easier by having an excellent engineer and Paris Hollins is one of the best out there.

How many songs are on the album and why so many?

Laughing….There are 23 cuts on the album, after omitting a couple.  The question of the amount is simple.  We only get this type of opportunity to sing with full orchestra once in a while and also having equipment to record at this level.  We made the decision to do an ambitious program and our students did a great job of accomplishing that task and I was very proud of them.  There were so many other songs from that school year that we did not even sing that night! Laughing.

What kind of music is featured on the CD?

We always in our concretizing, try to cover a wide musical spectrum.  I believe in exposing our student to all genres’s, with languages being no barrier.   Despite popular belief, these young students can learn to love classical music if done well, so you will find on here choruses from classical oratorio’s like Haydn’s Creation, Brahm’s Requiem (sung in German) and excerpts from the Ordering of Moses by R. Nathaniel Dett.  On last school year we included some very challenging concert spiritual and folk arrangements and these are highlighted on here as well.  We also chose to do some well known church anthem’s to bring some familiarity to the listener with the rendering of The Majesty and Glory and The Lord is My Light for example.  We were so privileged to perform the piece Examine Me by Cedric Dent of Take 6 and James Lee provided a breathtaking orchestral setting which we premiered that night.  James Lee also wrote a new piece and it quickly became a choir favorite, Come Unto Me. Our gospel set on this album features the music of Rev. Nolan E. Williams, Minister of Music at Metropolitan Baptist Church and a personal friend of mine.  Just check out With My Whole Heart and you will see the anointing on this brother.  I leave this for last, as I think all present on that night felt the calming peace and the Dove, descending as it were, on the last piece of the night.  Neil Thomas and I were so weary of the loud, big endings we tend to get so used too, and wanted to do the reverse.  A few years ago my childhood friend and I penned a song, which poses the question; Saints Are You Ready to Go?  The original version which is recorded on a previous album is sung a cappella.  However, in my head I always heard this being accompanied by orchestra.  There was no way I was going to do this album without collaborating with John Stoddart! The most talented and most humble musician I know.  We got together and figured out what we wanted to do.  John captured in every way the sentiment of this piece. My Morgan State buddy, Kenneth Alston (Three Mo’ Tenors) sang as only he can the solo on this.  The chiros moment that was created was unbelievable.  It is a wonder the piece got finished as in the middle of the piece I was crying, Kenneth was crying, orchestra players were crying…..wow

What are the general age ranges of the choir members? 

In spite of what many folks think when they hear them sing, they are ages 12-18.

How would you describe the experience of working with so many young people? 

I can easily write a book of the things I have garnered working with these young people.  Truth be told, they have taught me more than they will ever know.  Most of what I am today, I owe to them.

It is such a satisfactory feeling to continuously place musical challenges in front of them and watching them strive to attain it.  In so doing it is my hope that they gain other life lessons that can be applied not only to music, but to all aspects of their lives.

As teachers, it is our responsibility to pass the baton on to our students, and the baton is never passed at the same spot where we received it!  My students must be better than I could ever dream!

Do you get nervous before you minister?

You know, the crux of that question was a big part in me realizing my calling.  I realized when I was about 12, that when I get up to sing in a group or conduct I have not a fear in the world. However, growing up as a pianist or to sing a solo, I would be a nervous wreck.  I am typically very calm before I conduct, not that I am complacent without the nervous check system, but it is like someone going to their desk at the job.  The podium is a comfortable dwelling for me.

How do you get the young people to overcome any fears of singing, especially the soloists? 

Preparation!  There is no substitute.

How do you select a musical piece?  Is there one whose words are speaking to you of late?

Will give you the succinct answer.  The process of selection of each piece varies.  Let me start with one that at times is not as obvious.  From an academic standpoint, literature has to be chosen that will expose our young people to certain musical rudiments.  Of course, you hope to select something the singers will enjoy and the audience will be edified as well.  It saddens me a bit in that, I see in our church more and more, just the selection of things our young people “like”.  As educators and adults, I think we are obligated to expose them to classical, renaissance, baroque, those good old church anthems and other genres of music that they may not come to you and ask to sing, but upon the teaching of the material in a knowledgeable and enjoyable way, they grow to love that music.  If you were to do a survey of the Pine Forge Choir over all the years of its existence, you will find that some of the favorites are such pieces I have just described.  Other factors such as melody, text, occasion of our singing, looking at sociological happenings in our local, regional and international environment play a part as well.

The choral music of the Afro-Canadian composer, R. Nathaniel Dett is of immense significance to me at this juncture in my life.  He like Brahms, Schumann, Dvorak and other giant European composers, took the music of the people and expanded upon them in writing their masterworks.  These words as simple as they are, spoke to me a few months ago:

God made a covenant for the glory of His grace,
Thro our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ;
His gospel flowing free, like a chariot swung from heav’n,
Shall bear the true believer home.

Is there a Bible passage that inspires or guides you in music ministry? 

There are many guidelines in the Bible that I have studied and keep at heart.  Allow me though, to share a quote by Michelangelo, that has been my guide and I keep on the minds of our young people:

True art is made noble and religious by the mind producing it. For, those who feel it,
nothing makes the soul so religious and pure as the endeavor to create something perfect;
for God is perfection, and whosever strives after it, is striving after something divine.

What are some of your personal goals & goals for the choir?

The aftermath of the CD project begs the question you ask.  What next?  That plan is being formulated and involves personnel that have other expertise other than music. Certainly maintenance of the high standards is the constant challenge and we as a choir enjoy this by learning new repertoire and visiting new places. 

In the last few months I have been trying to listen to the whisperings of God.  Within the next few months there are educational goals I will be focused on, in a bid to fulfill.  Beyond that, just trying to enjoy life with my wife Koretta.

What's one musically related thing that you are looking forward to doing in heaven?

You know, my greatest joy will be to obtain my sanctified ticket, go the heavenly concert hall, sit in my golden chair, use my renewed ears, expose my renewed heart and mind, sit back and watch the GREAT CONDUCTOR lead the heavenly orchestra and choir, in a presentation we cannot now foresee.