Legacy of sisterhood
They’ve been singing with each other for so long that it’s a thing of instinct now – this blending of voices in harmony. It’s not always easy to get Lorde’s ‘Royals’ right but that’s exactly what the female choral ensemble of Asteria manages to do. They sing it in parts, together, spaced out-whatever they do you can’t but help think that this is a group of young ladies who know each others’ voices and pitch almost as well as the back of their hands.
Pix by Indika Handuwela taken at the Mt.Lavinia Hotel
That’s what you get when you bring together people who already know each other’s strengths says the choir’s vocal director Mahen Pieris. A former founding member of the Revelations, Mahen worked with the Methodist school choir for several years; following his departure, his young students clamoured to work with him further and Asteria was formed in 2010. Today the choir comprises entirely of former Methodist College students who have left school, found careers and families but have refused to give up their passion for music.
When they stage ‘Caprice’ next weekend they’ll be bringing to the Wendt this legacy of sisterhood, of having grown up and sung with each other for as long as they can remember. Caprice is the Titan goddess of oracles and the stars; a fitting allegory for the combined force of the girls when they sing as one. “It’s really good to hear our voices blending together,” says Irangi Abeygooneratne. It might sound a little precocious but really, Irangi doesn’t mind. “When we rehearse we enjoy it ourselves, because we’re subconsciously matching each other’s pitch and making sure our voices blend together perfectly.”
Irangi has been singing since she was a child and says that while she doesn’t want to make a career out of it, she definitely enjoys being part of a professional ensemble despite a hectic schedule. Asteria will be performing music they’ve been singing throughout, but they’ll mostly be working with new additions to their repertoire. It’ll be music from a “cross section of genres,” says Irangi.
Kunosha Thambyrajah, just married, has also been singing for as long as she can remember. It started with church, but she would eventually move onto work with the school choir, and having left school with Mahen. “He’s a great person to work with,” she shares. “Very easygoing and fun, and very flexible with our schedules too.” While Mahen provides choral direction for the show it’s his wife Prashalini Peiris who really runs the show, winks Kunosha. “Everything runs that much smoother. They’ve got a great partnership going.”
For Kishomi Mathiaparanam, who finds herself mercifully exempt from the two-left feet syndrome, it’s fairly easy to master the singing and dancing act but she knows that some of her fellow choir members do find it quite challenging. This is why they’ve shared the pressure economically amongst themselves; Kishomi will lead from the front with a few others for the choreography and the girls will follow.
As a teacher of music at a boys’ school in Colombo Kishomi says that she has Asteria to thank for keeping her in the field. “When I left school I didn’t really think I’d continue singing in a choir,” she smiles. “But here I am. It’s fun.” She hopes to sing with the choir for some time. “I think it’s important that I continue with this. It’s part of my life now.” Speaking in similar vein is Yohani De Silva, who has “always loved to sing.” While the girls follow a hectic schedule these days (they usually rehearse on weekends but find themselves meeting at the Wellewatte Methodist Church for rehearsals almost every day of the week now) it’s all in good spirit, smiles Yohani. “It’s like being with family.”
The choir will be backed by Journey, while singer Rukshan Perera and the Old Joes Choir will also join Asteria on stage.‘Caprice’ takes place on May 3 at 7pm at the Lionel Wendt. Tickets priced at Rs. 1500, 1000, 750 and 350 are available at the Lionel Wendt office.