Back to the choir stalls
For the De Lanerolle brothers, their alma mater S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia is more than a second home- where their musical prowess took root and grew. Rohan and Ishan de Lanerolle are now internationally known singers, but they’re not about to forget their beginnings in the college chapel in a hurry. Watch them give back in the style they do best, at a ‘Festival of Choral Music’ on September 16, at the Chapel of Transfiguration, S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia.
The musical evening is for a worthy cause. S. Thomas’ College (STC) has just inaugurated ‘The Canon Roy Yin Choir Fund’ in aid of the college Choir’s Chapel of Transfiguration. The fund is named in honour of the late Reverend Canon Roy Yin who served as Chaplain of S. Thomas till his departure in 1962. The Reverend is responsible for inaugurating the legendary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols of the Chapel in December 1947, a much anticipated annual event that for many herald the Christmas season.
The Chapel of Transfiguration is one of the key spiritual and architectural monuments of the school and serves as a central point of the school and to students of all faiths and belief.
“Going back to the chapel made us reminisce on how it felt to be behind the choir stalls,” smiles Ishan. “And of course that glorious chapel has a way of beckoning us Thomians to keep coming back!”
The College Choir itself is one that needs no introduction. The choir has a rich heritage that goes back 158 years, debuting in 1954. Since then it has seen a succession of trainers of much repute-the choir is currently trained by Vinodh Senadeera who maintains the standards of the group.
The Thomian Choir is among the very few sans a conductor and is affiliated with the prestigious Royal School of Church Music in the UK. In addition to traditional Anglican anthems, hymns and psalms the choir has a wide repertoire from Bach to Rutter, complemented by the 40 choristers themselves, aged from 10-19 years. They will accompany the brothers in song.
“We love working with these talented young singers and always have,” the De Lanerolle’s say, thanking Mr. Senadeera for his consideration in accommodating their travel schedule when planning rehearsals.
Tickets for the event are priced at Rs.750, and will be available at Commons Café, Park Street Mews and the STCML OBA Secretariat, Mt.Lavinia. Be there on Sunday September 16 at 6pm as the Thomian Choir plays host to the de Lanerolle brothers at a service of Choral Music.
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