Experiencing God with classic and modern spiritual favourites
Come February, the choir of The Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour will present “Experiencing God”. A spiritual journey through music and narrative, the concert has found the choir widening their melodious horizons with classic spiritual favourites and several new, modern pieces as well.
The Cathedral choir at their Thursday practice
The 35 strong choir, directed by Ishan de Lanerolle has been busy the last year with several performances including the elaborate “The Church’s One Foundation” where they performed as a 200-voice choir along with many other choirs. This February however, the show will focus primarily on the power of the Cathedral choir, says Director Ishan.
“There is a lot of musical maturity,” he says. The biggest challenge this time for the choir will be singing with a track- no easy feat for a single performer, let alone a group. They will also be tackling new, modern hymns and spiritual songs.
Choir Director Ishan de Lanerolle
According to the choir’s youngest member Sashyani Rodrigo (15), the programme is a vast difference from their previous year. “It’s upbeat and exciting” with parts continually changing throughout the songs and an underlying African influence in most of their new numbers which have already got a hold on the young chorister.
The choir’s oldest member, 80-year-old Vimal Frances Ranaweera is also enjoying the energetic music. “It’s theatrical and exciting,” she chuckles, reflecting on the joy that vibrates through the Cathedral through the voices at practices.
For Ishan, the vision for the programme was to bring together timeless favourites while adding modernity that would draw in younger audiences as well. Together with narrations by the De Lanerolle Brothers and rich instrumental tracks the muical hopes to give the audience a new take on classics.
“Experiencing God” will be held on Sunday, February 11 at 6.30 p.m. at The Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour. The concert will be in aid of the Cathedral Outreach Fund. Token programmes are priced at Rs. 800 and are available at the Commons Coffee House and the Cathedral Office.