Arts
Eternal joy of seasonal songs
Soul Sounds performs at a festival of music for peace and harmony-- ‘Joy to the World 2016’-- held recently at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre. Pic by Indika Handuwala
This Christmas morning, as families and friends gather, greetings are exchanged, gifts are opened and goodwill fills the air, no doubt there will be music playing somewhere. The music, for many, begins with the dawn of December when we start singing and humming our favourite Christmas carols, songs and melodies – some old, some new, some mellow, some rocking.
Yes, from the rollicking ‘Jingle Bells’ to the sacred strains of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, the music tells us in so many ways what Christmas means to each and every one. How the birth of the Christ Child in a lowly manger in Bethlehem would change the hearts of people and bring a message of love and hope to a troubled world.
So we set out to ask some musicians about the Christmas music that is most meaningful to them. For Soundarie David Rodrigo, the dynamic director of Soul Sounds, the all-female choral ensemble, ‘Away in a Manager’ holds a soft spot in her heart while ‘O Holy Night’ has always been a crowd-pleaser at shows. It’s all about staying true to what she feels is the core message of Christmas with their favourite carols in new arrangements. For Soundarie, the season is about caring, loving, giving – not forgetting the humble beginnings that laid the foundation for Christmas and make it all the more heartfelt.
Christmas finds popular male acappella group, Voice Print, making surprise strolls around the bustling department store Odel, spreading the festive spirit in their signature style. Despite their busy schedules, the ensemble, founded by several old Benedictines, find themselves returning year after year for their school carol service at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, explains founding member, Naresh Sathasivam. Known for their electric performances, Christmas time especially finds the group singing their rendition of the hymn made famous by Latha Walpola ‘Namo Mariyani’, adds Dilan Irugalbandara.
Chrisantha “CC” de Silva, the affable frontman of the band ‘Salvage’ and co-founder of the musical platform ‘Melomanic Sessions’ hails from a Christian background and is deeply moved by the story of Christmas and how it unites people from various backgrounds. Christmas for him is a time to celebrate with family, whether related by kin or music. On occasion, he has jammed to rocked out versions of Christmas songs on the sly with his band Salvage and at the Melomanic Sessions. The artist line-up for their Christmas edition is always encouraged to showcase music that embodies the meaning of the season.
Soundarie David Rodrigo: A soft spot for ‘Away in a Manger’.
With their upbeat and unique Christmas renditions playing across the boards, Youtube’s popular acappella group Pentatonix is a major influence on the Old Joes Choir, explains founding member Navindra Abeyesekera. The choir, known for their Barbershop and acappella numbers revel in the seasonal songs. Some of their all-time favourites include’Mary did you know?’, ‘That’s Christmas to me’, ‘Carol of the bells’ and ‘Bells on Christmas day’.
Most of the OJC members have been singing from their early school days and now as working adults await the holidays to unite for this occasion, taking their audience on an uplifting journey with them. The choir embodies a simple message of “Love, unity and camaraderie” adds Navindra, working together despite the significant age gap among its members.
At 24 years old, Gyles Dharmaratne’s background in music already spans several genres and styles. Gyles started off his musical career performing in choirs such as Voices in Harmony and the Revelations and over the last few years has also found a calling (he can’t escape it, he sighs) as the romantic lead in recent musicals — ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Les Miserables’ and most recently in the rock opera ‘Next to Normal’. Rounding up his impressive resume as one of the lead vocalists for the jazz/ retro band ‘The Bakery’, Christmas music then, fits in perfectly with his soft spot for jazz, the young crooner explains. The beauty of Christmas music, he says is that “anyone can appreciate it” regardless of religion.
Gyles himself prefers the old-fashioned retro Christmas tunes he grew up with. His obvious favourites for the season are the mellow ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ and Nat King Cole’s jazzy ‘Christmas Song’ or ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire……’.
December is one of the busiest months for singer Melanie Bibile and we catch her heading off for choir practices with the all-female choral ensemble Camerati. Add to this Christmas shows, concerts, church programmes and the Christmas music that echoes through her home from the end of November, it’s obvious that music is integral to her festivities.
“But it’s important to remember what and who Christmas is about.” For Melanie, Christmas music should embrace the unity, fellowship and love that the season brings. It’s what she tries to project in her many performances during this time of year. “It can also be a lonely time for many. I want my music to make Christmas a little better for someone else.”
Gyles Dharmaratne: Prefers the Christmas tunes he grew up with
Her favourite carol is the beautiful ‘The First Noel’. The story narrated through the calm, simple melody of the 19th century carol still gives her goosebumps whenever she hears it being sung.
For choir director Mary Anne David, December is a quiet month in which she steers away from presenting concerts and shows. With her students involved in various seasonal events, the veteran vocal teacher prefers a more homely affair with her students filling her home after Christmas, with music and their own brand of fun. Her favourite ‘O Holy Night’ has been a staple at the end of many a Christmas performance with her choir. “I always wait for the reaction at the end,” she says, recalling the feeling of seeing the awe on her audience’s faces. It is that feeling she misses most in many Christmas songs that are played today. “It’s all about the wine, the cake the grandeur,” but the best music focuses on the birth of Christ and its significance, she says.
Christmas isn’t complete for the De Lanerolle Brothers without their much awaited Christmas shows that herald in the season. This year’s concert ‘Together for Christmas’ in three words summed up the Christmas spirit for the sibling duo. Ishan de Lanerolle nostalgically recalls how, as boys they would put aside their squabbles on hearing their mother playing the piano and launching into the family’s favourite Christmas songs. Their parents- both avid music lovers, would teach their sons the true meaning of coming together through music.
This year’s concert saw revamped versions of ‘O Holy Night’, ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain’ and ‘Ave Maria’ which left many teary-eyed. Ishan’s favourite, however, is the 1951 jingle ‘Silver Bells’, a tune he still hums with much feeling. The Christmas season leaves one “with a heartwarming spirit and is an occasion which heightens all our senses,” he says.
Happy Christmas everyone!
Voice Print: Spreading the festive spirit in their signature style
Chrisantha “CC” de Silva: Christmas music is for everyone. Pic by Rahal Wimalasiri
Mary Anne David: Today’s music lacks the true spirit of Christmas
The De Lanerolle Brothers: Heralding the season at their concert, ‘Together for Christmas’. Pic by Ranjith Perera
Old Joes Choir: Embodies a simple message of ‘love, unity and camaraderie’
(Our cover picture features the SriLankan Airlines’ Christmas Carols Service – ‘Christmas on Wings’ held for the 33rd consecutive year, on December 17, at the Bishop’s College Auditorium.)