Sunday Times 2
‘Rally Round Rock and Roll’: A mega show of Thomian talent
Variety galore: Students rehearsing for the upcoming show
‘Rally Round Rock and Roll’ will hit the main stage of the BMICH on November 1 at 7 p.m. More than 800 students will take part in this mega show presented by S.Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia in collaboration with the Parent Teacher Association . The show is a tribute to a much loved Thomian thespian, the late Vinodh Senadeera, veteran actor and drama teacher who directed many S.Thomas’ College productions over the years.
The show features diverse and entertaining programme with the Canto Choir, the Middle School Choir, Lower School Choir, Lower School Main Choir as well as the Lower School Hewisi Band and Western band all performing. In addition, several student bands will be taking the stage. Watch out for Band Mercury and“Essentials”.
While essentially a musical show, the programme also showcases the dancing talents of the students. A dance performance to a medley of Sinhala children’s songs as well as a dance to Tamil songs, a western contemporary dance to the song Mi Gente will also have the audience toes a-tapping. Across the board the production shows much versatility across western, and eastern music, and in essence is providing the platform for youth of S.Thomas’ College to develop their artistic talents.
“It’s a mixture of genres. Although we go as Rally Round Rock and Roll, we mean rock and roll in the sense of celebration not the genre rock and roll. We have upbeat items, we have oriental items, we have Tamil items, jazz, pop all covered,” says Kisholi Mathiaparanam, one of the music teachers organising the event.
The Middle School Choir will be singing ‘Brave’ by Sara Bareilles, ‘Summer of 69’ by Bryan Adams, Bad Day by Daniel Powter and ‘Waterloo’ from Abba. The Canto Choir will present ‘Circle of Llife’ from the Lion King, ‘Siyahamba’,‘BossaNova’ and ‘Old Time Rock n Roll’ while the Western Band, will be performing a much anticipated wind ensemble piece. Let’s not forget the young ‘uns! The Kindergarten and Form One boys will be doing a superhero performance, dressed in Spiderman and Batman costumes.
Nevanjith Madawela, 12- year-old Thomian who is in the Middle School choir is delighted to be taking part in the show and most looking forward to singing Bryan Adams’ classic hit ‘Summer of 69’. Shavin Samaranayake, 13, also in the Middle School Choir is excited about the same song, because of its rock and roll vibe.
The goal of the show is to raise funds for the Smart Classroom project in which the school is seeking to equip every single classroom with Smart boards, smart audio visuals, in essence interactive media that will be facilitate learning and make it more interesting for the students.
“It’s been very interesting to work with the boys and all their activities because out of this we see a lot of talent in them. In the Lower School we have 600 boys taking part, out of 875. We have about 60 teachers in the Lower School and all 60 are involved. With the prefects, support staff and staff, it’s about 1000 involved in the entire production,” says Teacher in charge, Niroshala Manuel, explaining the scale of the show and the enthusiasm that it has generated among staff and students.
Everyone involved in the production has worked tirelessly to see it come together and present at the dress rehearsal, the Sunday Times saw the sheer excitement of the students, and the effort taken by the teachers to direct and present such a production.
Tickets are moving fast for the November 1 show: Rs 1500 and Rs. 1000 tickets are already sold out, but there are Rs. 3000, Rs. 5000 and Rs .10,000 tickets still available at the STC sports complex. Grab them fast! It’s your chance to see some extraordinary Thomian talent!
