Contempo: Old school ties that gave voice to a choral group
It is pouring with rain as I walk into Contempo choir’s rehearsals one night at St Bridget’s Convent. The girls are huddled around a piano, warming up, with choral director Sheranga Perera at the helm.
The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, but with that hint of excitement in the air that creeps in with an approaching performance.
Contempo, formally known as the Past Bridgetines’ Choir, will bring to stage best-loved songs from the Silver Screen such as, “The Sound of Silence” from The Graduate, “I Say a Little Prayer” from My Best Friend’s Wedding and “Footloose” from Footloose in their upcoming show Reel Music.
United in song: Contempo. Pic by Indika Handuwala
The choir initially started out in 2001 doing guest performances at school functions and in productions of the Bridgetine Choir, and collaborations with other PPA choirs like the Old Joes’ Choir and Choro Benedicte.
Reel Music marks Contempo’s second independent show, following the sell-out success of Viva la Diva in 2013.
“We decided, then, to try and attract a bigger audience,” says Sanjana Selvarajah Mubarak. “We also wanted to appeal to the current school girls because there were quite a few who didn’t know that Contempo existed.”
Contempo offers Bridgetines leaving school the chance to stay in touch with the school community, while developing their skills as vocalists and performers. For some like Sanjana who was always involved in the Performing Arts while at school and after, it comes as a natural transition.
In contrast, Dinuka de Alwis says she was never actively involved in the choir while at school, but found she still wanted to sing when she left school. “This has been an opportunity to actually train my voice and gain a little more confidence in terms of performing,” she says.
Although they’ve had many members come and go over the years, the conversation takes a sad turn when Sanjana speaks of Mel Gunasekera, who had been one of the first members of the choir.
Devastated by her death last year, she says they really felt her absence while preparing for this show. “We want her to be remembered in this concert,” says Sanjana.
This is also Contempo’s first production with choral director Sheranga Perera, who is a past Bridgetine herself. The choir had previously worked with Eshantha Peiris, whose elaborate piano accompaniment was an advantage they had to let go of with his departure.
However, this in turn has given the girls an opportunity to experiment with their voices and expand their vocals.
Sheranga, who returned to Sri Lanka last year, says there was a bit of adjusting to do at the start with a different approach, but the girls picked up really fast.
She believes Reel Music will appeal to all audiences as the song selection is very well balanced and covers everything from slow ballads to different styles and tempos. “Also, we’ve squeezed in something out of the box and a little daring that, vocally and chorally, probably haven’t been done before,” she adds excitedly.
Reel Music will go on the boards at St Bridget’s Convent Auditorium on September 19-20. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at Rs. 1500, 1000, 800 and 500 (balcony) and are available at St Bridget’s Convent Collegiate from 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.