‘Experiencing God’: A perfect blend of spiritual and musical
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Inspiring, uplifting music: The choir in ‘Experiencing God’ . Pic by Sameera Weerasekera
‘Experiencing God’ was a rare musical experience. And it had a perfect setting – the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour on Bauddhaloka Mawatha.
The Anglican Cathedral for those who have only seen it from the outside, its sprawling garden giving it its tranquil setting will find that same aura of peace and space within. Entering your eye is drawn to the high vaulted ceiling with its broad pillars, a large but simple wooden cross suspended over the circular altar area.
That cross was the focus as the Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour presented ‘Experiencing God’ – on Sunday, February 11, the 70 minute musical before a packed congregation, not just the usual worshippers but those from other churches and music lovers who have now come to be drawn by the Cathedral’s musical offerings.
The Cathedral’s dynamic Choir Director Ishan de Lanerolle and his elder brother Rohan were the soloists when this musical was performed at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Singapore in November 2016 and had been moved by its powerful message. Bishop Dhiloraj Canagasabey had asked Ishan to do something for the youth and this, he felt, would resonate.
Very spiritual in content and theme, the musical was choreographed with great care and precision, from the Choir making its entrance and going in procession to take their place before the altar facing the congregation, dressed in white cassocks, with a touch of colour in their batik stoles (designed for them by Sonali Dharmawardena) to the excellent sound and lighting.
Written by Henry Blackaby, Claire Cloninger and Gary Rhodes, ‘Experiencing God’ flowed seamlessly from the narration done by Rohan de Lanerolle, original songs, hymns and choruses, with soloists Ishan and Rohan de Lanerolle and Srimanthaka Senanayake backed by the choir in powerful harmony. Singaporean Steven Wong had flown down from Singapore and his devotional dance done to ‘On my knees’ was an unusual touch.
The lights and sound were spot on right through, sans the fizz and hiss often heard in otherwise professional productions. Particularly effective, indeed chilling was the metallic clang of a nail being driven into wood that accompanied the traditional hymn ‘When I survey the Wondrous Cross’ in a different adaptation, the lights turning red at that time signifying the agony of the crucified Christ.
Two stories delivered powerfully during the narration highlighted what ‘Experiencing God’ can be. In 1992, British athlete Derek Raymond’s sudden tumble with a hamstring injury on the track had viewers gasping. What came next was even more shocking as a man crashed through the stands and fought his way to the track where the injured athlete had struggled to his feet and was trying to limp to the finish line. It was Redmond’s father who unable to stand by and watch his son’s pain, came to help him make it to the end. The crowd cheered as they hobbled to the finish; the story powerfully bringing home the message of a Heavenly Father who is with you every step of the way through the pitfalls and triumphs of life’s race.
‘Blessed Assurance’, ‘Safe in the arms of Jesus’ and ‘To God be the Glory’ are familiar Christian hymns but their writer – Fanny Crosby may not be as familiar. Going blind as a baby, this indomitably faithful woman penned as many as 8,000 hymns in her lifetime, her faith a shining example of a life that had experienced God.
A short sermon was delivered by pastor Ajith Fernando and Bishop Dhiloraj Canagasabey thanked the choir for their dedication, before the final blessing. Now numbering over 40, the choir has blossomed under Ishan’s direction and continues to grow in ability.
Buoyed by the spontaneous response they have received, the Choir will now take ‘Experiencing God’ to Kandy where on Sunday, April 8 they will sing at the Trinity Chapel at 6. 30 p.m., joined by the Trinity College Choir. Ishan de Lanerolle is looking forward to their first foray outside the Cathedral and hopefully taking the musical to other cities, perhaps, Galle, Jaffna and maybe even Nuwara Eliya.