Easter choral reflection: “On Angels’ Wings”
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Promising an evening of reflective, spirit-filled choral music to celebrate Easter, the Prestantia Chorale in collaboration with Chraft (Christian Arts Foundation) will present “On Angels’ Wings” – a choral reflection to celebrate this Easter season. The programme, which is free and open to all will be held at the St. Paul’s Milagiriya Church, Bambalapitiya, on Saturday, April 2 at 7 p.m.
The script and drama has been directed by Dr. Dhanan Senathirajah, with music directed by Dr. Priyeshni Peiris Perera.
The choir was formed with just eight people in 2013 to sing on Easter morning at the Holy Emmanuel Church (HEC) Easter Sunday Sunrise Service upon a request from Rev. Keerthi Fernando from HEC. The Prestantia Chorale is under the musical direction of Dr. Priyeshni P. Perera. Dr. Perera, who obtained her Doctorate in Music from the Texas Tech University, USA, on her return to Sri Lanka established the Prestantia School of Music (www.music.edu.lk) and linked the choir with the Music School calling it “The Prestantia Chorale”. Prestantia means ‘Excellence’ in Latin. She is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Western Music at the University of Visual & Performing Arts (UVPA), Colombo 07.
Keeping with tradition as it were, the Chorale presented an Easter-themed choral production “The Borrowed Tomb” in subsequent years, 2014 and 2015.
At present, the choir consists of sixteen passionate singers; Ranthilini Fernando, Sudarshi Nonis, Pavithra Madapatha, Nilaisha Silva, Sunara Ranasinghe, Praveeni Fernando, Prashanthi Perera, Manoj Sanjeewa, Melantha Fernando, Rev. Upul Fernando, Shehan Perera, Janaka Fernando, Wasantha Kumara Geekiyanage, Ashenka de Silva, Pabasara Jayarathne and Johnson Jayaratnasingham. The group consists of bankers, marketing specialists, clergy, engineers, music teachers and some who are Junior Lecturers and Graduates of the Department of Western Music of the University of Visual & Performing Arts, Colombo 7.
This is a story narrated by a council of angels, who have been witnesses to events from the beginning of time. The choir plays a major role in communicating this story spanning time from the Creation to the Resurrection of Christ, with songs ranging from classical to contemporary; music by Charles Wesley, selections from “The Messiah” by G. F. Handel to more contemporary music by John Rutter, David Clydesdale, Steven Townsend & Keith Getty.
The drama direction and original script of dramatic narrations has been written by Dr. Dhanan Senathirajah, Vice President, Finance & Planning of NDB Bank, a well known Bible teacher and author. He is also a member of the international faculty of the Haggai Institute U.S.A.
The students of the Prestantia Music School will join in with the Chorale this year too. The instrumental ensemble will consist of (Dr.) Priyeshni P. Perera (piano), Christo Prins (Drums), Nimalka Chrishanthi (Keyboard Synthesizer), Saranga Cooray (Cello), Sachiththa Fernando (Violins) and Tironi Rathnayake (Flute).
For more information visit www.music.edu.lk and their facebook page “Prestantia Chorale”.