An unyielding passion for classical music drives ‘The Circle of Love’

Mar 15, 2015 News

Perhaps one can call it destiny that, after four boys had an enchanting encounter

The members of the Circle of Love, (from left) Clayton Hinds, Fenton Park and Charles Griffith

with classical a cappella music (specifically group or solo singing without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way) in the church, a developing passion for the genre would led them to each other and later see the formation of one of Guyana’s most traditionally sophisticated groups, known as The Circle of Love.
Many have proclaimed that this group is not only a strong reminder of the calming soulfulness of the American group, The Platters, but it also embodies the uplifting sounds of gospel music.
The seasoned singers are group leader Fenton Park, Charles Griffith, John Shepherd and Public Relations Officer Clayton Hinds.
They have been adored and requested to do special performances on umpteen occasions by political figures, regionally and locally, and have even sung for a few of President Donald

One of the inspirations of the Circle of Love, The King’s Heralds

Ramotar’s private functions. Their recitals around Guyana are simply too numerous to mention, but one thing that is certain is that it only takes one performance by this group to leave their name permanently engraved on your mind.
In an interview with Kaieteur News, Park related that while they were on the path to developing a career in music, each member had been singing in various groups and even came together in one called the Georgetown Quartet.
He asserted however that around 2001, the Circle of Love was created by Shepherd, a medical technologist, who is currently in the USA, and serves as secretary to the group.
Griffith then explained that each member had his beginning in the Adventist Church. It was there, he said, that not only did they discover their first true love, but it was there that their voices, passion and knowledge for the art form was nurtured and encouraged.
Hinds, who grew up in a home of music, said that it has always been a driving force in his life.

During a performance at the Campaign launch of APNU+AFC

He recalled that in his younger days, participating in devotions and ‘church music’ was a must, and learning to sing was non-negotiable.
What the church did back then, Park said, was to also impart the valuable lesson of vocal ranges. Currently, the 48-year-old sings bass in the group, while Griffith and Shepherd are tenor ranges and Hinds, baritone. Each member has also undergone extensive formal training in music.
Griffith then emphasized that the members of the group are also most passionate about a cappella and harmony singing.
“You won’t find a lot of a cappella singing now, but it is a rich and beautiful form of singing that dates all the way back to slavery, and it was also sung in the church. We were accustomed to listening to good a cappella music from various specialized groups such as the King’s Heralds Quartet,” the 53-year-old asserted.
While the group does not sing the upbeat or high tempo gospel music which is mostly prevalent today, Hinds said that the Circle of Love is centred on peaceful and classical music, the type that connects the audience with the intensity and feeling of the lyrics of the song.
The Circle of Love sings mostly hymns, ‘resistance’ songs, oldies, national songs, and calypso. They have even tried their voices at reggae but every song they attempt is usually done in a cappella.
“We really do see this as our calling, our passion, and when we sing a cappella it is for the listener to hear heartfelt music. Sometimes we go to entertain people at the karaoke sessions when we don’t have a gig, and feel so moved to sing. We sang at a number of PPP and Opposition events.
“Even for private sessions for President Ramotar at the State House and we were opening acts for several international gospel singers at the stadium, so the demand is there for us, but we are working on documenting our history,” Hinds expressed.
In that regard, the 65-year-old said that after receiving the blessings and promise of support from Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Opposition Leader David Granger, the group has agreed to make moves to work on putting together a CD which would be a compilation of Guyana’s national songs, in a cappella of course.
Hinds said that they also plan to create a programme with guidelines for singers interested in their style.
The Circle of Love is not particularly fond of musical competitions, but they have participated in the National Song Festival in 2013 where they placed third, and the following year which saw them walking away with the winning prizes.
Though they are seasoned singers, Park said that one of their hurdles remains finding enough time to practice, given their individual jobs. Another matter Griffith said they hope to address is moving the management of the group to such a stage where they would be properly rewarded for their talent.
“The reality is that some don’t want to pay top prices for us, but we are hoping that organizations will be supportive when we approach them for assistance with promotional activities we plan to host,” he added.
Nonetheless, the group is particularly proud of the impact they have had with their talents, as well as being able to stand the test of time for 12 years and still remain united.