Oh when the Saints…
Allen Perera
Huddled around the piano at Allen Perera’s residence, The Saints are warming-up for their latest appearance. Making a name for themselves in the past 8 years, this will be the 9th annual concert for the seasoned set. Coming from schools named after saints the group started out as just a “five piece band” recalls President of the Choir, Nalake Fernando. While confident that the kind of music they deliver will always have a dedicated following none of the original 5 members imagined the group would flourish into a full choir of 12. ‘The Saints In Concert 2014’ is to feature the voices of 24-65 year olds “who are all convinced they are still very much younger,” he laughs. Hoping to bring-on their charm onstage their appearance this year is scheduled for November 9 at the Lionel Wendt.
Keny Pereira
Conductor since the inception of the choir, which followed the dissolution of yet another choir, SurenAbeysekera says the kind of music they bring has been the same. Despite the many additions to the choir’s initial five, “it’s amazing how everyone is on the same page,” he shares. Coming in after office hours to practice at one of their chorister’s homes, the group is mainly interested in the kind of music you generally find on retro music stations they tell us.
Nalaka Fernando
This year’s line-up too is to feature hits of the past that they have collectively decided on to treat the audience with. Anyone who is a regular to the Saint’s concerts will know that the event rarely comes to a close without a few staple numbers, “Like our Sinhalese Medley,” Keny Pereira smiles. “One year we omitted it, and people noticed!” he recalls. Hoping to perform a sing-a-long segment, along with very ‘audience-friendly’ classics as they call them, The Saints hope to put their four- part harmonic spin on popular tunes this year as well.
Tickets priced at Rs. 1500, 1000, 750 from reserved seats and
Rs. 500 for balcony seats are available at the Lionel Wendt.
Pix by Manga Weerasekera