A journey of music and camaraderie
If you got the chance to catch them at the Asia Pacific Choir Games last year, you’ll know that the ladies behind ‘Contempo’ really mean business when it comes to music. What started off as a choir consisting of past pupils of S. Bridget’s Convent who met up for the love of singing has progressed to a choir that has won four gold medals and a silver at the games. They are back this year with their own show “Forever In Song,” directed by Harin Amirthanathan, which will be staged at the Lionel Wendt on April 6 and 7.
We managed to catch up with the enthusiastic ladies, just as they finished practices on a Saturday afternoon. As we walked in, it was clear that the girls had been hard at work.
“It’s the music and school connections that’s kept us together all these years,” Thilini De Alwis, Co-Directress of the choir, says. ‘Contempo’ was started back in 2001, by a group of Bridgetines, who just passed out of school and had wanted to keep singing. Their first performance was at a school concert and the ensemble has certainly grown since then. “This time we are the ones actually inviting the school choir to our own show.”
Thilini explains that they are a “diverse bunch,” from busy stay at home mums, to fulltime workers and school leavers. Despite these differences however, it’s the music that’s brought them together all these years. ‘Forever in song’ captures the idea of a friendship and a sense of sisterhood, forged through music.
Furthermore, it is because of their differences that the practice sessions end up being quite interesting, we find out. “Apart from somebody yelling ‘girls!’ over the noise, it almost always ends up being about laughter and fun,” Thilini says.
The fun aside, the girls have also stay focused and determined to reach their goals. It was this attitude which won them the medals at the Choir Games.
Winning at The Asia Pacific Choir Games was a pleasant surprise, Thilini recalls. Indeed, they hadn’t even entered for the Grand Prix category, but qualified through the Gospel/Spiritual rounds. Thilini was in a three wheeler on her way back home after a morning session of the competition, when she got the call, telling her they had qualified.
Thilini
Surprised, she didn’t know what to say because Contempo didn’t have a song prepared and some of the girls had either gone back to work or home. “We finished around 11 am and the competition was starting at 2.00pm. We had to pick a song fast and get it approved by Interkultur. “It was, to simply put it, chaos. But it was good chaos.”
Once they got the song sorted, everyone put on their costumes and went back on stage, only to win a Gold medal in the Grand Prix as well. “Forever In Song” builds from the experience gained at the games and promises a performance that is truly world class. Contempo will showcase pieces, which the choir performed at the games. The aim is to give everyone a chance to hear and understand what they are capable of.
“We’re good at singing different genres of music so we don’t just stick to one category, rather we cater to a wider audience and this is just what you can expect at the show too,” Thilini adds. In this sense, the concert will feature songs that are spiritual, whilst also including a range of Pop, Jazz and Rock music. The audience might just witness a little bit of dancing as well, we are told.
Dulani Denipitiya a younger member of the choir joins us. As she recalls, her journey with ‘Contempo’ has been nothing short of exciting, to the point where she looks forward to the practices each day.
“It is more like an extended family,” she explains adding that even though they induct new members every year, they blend in perfectly well.
Tickets are priced at
Rs. 1500, Rs.1000, Rs.800 and Rs.600 (Balcony).
And can be purchased at
St Bridget’s Convent Colombo 7
Pix by Indika Handuwala