Voices for a cause

Happy Birthday, Jesus – an evening of Christmas music presented by Eshantha de Andrado is to be staged at the British School of Colombo (BSC) Auditorium on December 15, at 7 p.m. This one hour programme will also feature guest appearances by Peshali Yapa and the St. Mary's Choral Group. Eshantha will be accompanied by Neranjan de Silva on Piano/ Keyboards.

Eshantha's musical career began in school, when in 1979, he joined the Peterite Choir when he was just nine years old and continued being in its membership until 1988. He is a founder member of the now well-known Peterite Chorale and is also its associate conductor. He joined the LG Singers in 1987, training under the late great music don – Kalasuri John Lylie Godridge, and remains a member of this group to date.

Eshantha is also a member of the Colombo Philharmonic Choir (TCPC), The Covenant Chorus (TCC), The Symphony Orchestra Chorus (SOSL) and the St. Mary's Choral Group. Together with much amateur theatre, Eshantha's stage performances include Andrew Lloyd Webber – The Musical (1993), Cats by the Workshop Players (1994), Lullaby of Broadway and Extreme Entertainer by Shannon Raymond, (in 1995 and 2004 respectively).

As a producer and director, Eshantha took on musicals such as An Evening to Remember (1997), A Musical Rendezvous (1999) presented by the Senior and Junior Choir's of Visakha Vidyalaya and An evening with Walt Disney with a Splash of Grease presented by The College of World Education (2000), all with much success.

His solo efforts include choreographing, directing and producing the musical extravaganza The Magic of Music organized by the Choir of Musaeus College (2001) and also directing, producing and conducting the Choir of Bishop's College, in that same year when they did Bishopian Splendour. As Heathcliff, Eshantha dabbled as an English Radio Presenter cum DJ – at Capital Radio 100.4 and 95.8 from 1996 – 1998 where he became a favorite of those late night listeners.

Whilst keeping busy with his musical career at present, he also works as the manager of the BSC Auditorium and Swimming Pool Complex, which in itself is a demanding task. This is the second of Eshantha's solo performances and he invites you to come and enjoy an evening of light entertainment. Entrance will be by programme priced at Rs. 300/- and the proceeds will be diverted to a worthy cause.

For programmes and details please contact – 077-7750832.