The joy of Christmas

Nuova Vitae (New Life), an ensemble of past choristers of S. Thomas' College Mount Lavinia will make their debut choral performance on December 19 and 20, 2007, at 8pm at the Russian Cultural Centre, Colombo 7. The much anticipated choral group has finally been put together by past choristers who have left in the last decade.

The youthful sounds of the choir will reverberate with music which is traditional and modern, specially arranged for TTBB voices. The unique aspect of this group is that all members are past choiristers, and have been under the maestro Russell Bartholomeusz. The line up of singers have all been members of the college choir, while they hope to be together for many years. Nuova Vitae also plans to present their Christmas concert later in December at the Russian Cultural Centre.

The brain child behind the formation of Nuova Vitae was three past choir leaders – Dayan Fernando, Rumesh Fonseka and Vinodh Senadeera (Present Choir master of STC). All three members have been choir leaders with an immense amount of musical experience and they are delighted to form this unique group with members of their time. All performers are professionals in their own fields, who find the time to do what they love best – singing.

The selection of carols are varied in style and form, and true to their tradition they will perform the traditional carols in their uniquely Thomian style, while a selection of modern Christmas songs too will be performed by the them. The repertoire consists a TTBB version of "O Holy Night," "Have Your Self a Merry Little Christmas," "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "Rocking and the Christmas Song" selection consists of "Silver and Gold" and "Jolly Holly Christmas" to name a few. The concert also has a section for and audience sing along for those who really want to get the feel of the season.

Nuova Vitae comprises of Dayan Fernando, Rumesh Fonseka, Johann Gunawardena, Anjelo Jesudason, Keshan and Sushan Jayatheepam, Rahulan Visvendaraj, Christy Sugitharatnam, Nirupan Richards, Ashan Fernando, Arthur Sovinalingam, Elmo Shanmugam, Ashan Algama ,Elmo Marshall , Gerrald Sanjeev and Devaka De Silva. The Performance is directed by Vinodh Senadeera and is accompanied by Shannon Jacob.

Tickets are available at he Russian Cultural Centre, and phone bookings are accepted by calling 0773246384 – (Amenthi Jasinghe).