Expecting to hear the harmonious sounds of a choir hard at practice, it comes as something of a surprise to hear loud guffaws coming from the auditorium; but laughter - as the Sunday Times was soon to learn - is an important factor in all that contributes to the spirit of the Peterite Chorale.
Coupled with this is the atmosphere witnessed only in a group consisting of guys from one school - of old friendships, spirited narratives of school stories, good natured teasing and of course the coincidence that each member of the group loves to sing.
“Looking at the times we spend together, it sometimes feels that the basis of our choir is fellowship; the music taking second place,” comments Sanjeev Dabare, a director of the Chorale.
However listening to their singing at what was described as “a practice which was very much a work in progress,” this is not evident. Sans accompaniment, amplification and all the necessary trappings, the Peterite Chorale delivers an impressive performance and are right on track for their upcoming show – Resonance – to be held on November 21 and 22 at the British School Auditorium.
They promise us that the evening will be an extraordinary one. Yet the question of what will be extraordinary as yet remains unknown; Sanjeev Dabare and Eshantha de Andrado - directors of the show - smile mysteriously and invite the audience to come and see for themselves.
Celebrating 16 years of music, the Peterite Chorale began with performing at the annual Peterite Easter Cantata and as guests in other concerts. The group which began with just 12 singers has now grown into 32 committed members, and plans are under way for the launch of their first CD to be recorded using proceeds from the show. “If all goes well,” says Eshantha, “we were also planning on performing in Australia, as some of our Old Boys have been eager to get us down for a concert there.”
It has been six years since their previous feature performance, but the choristers have definitely not been idle during this time. Despite commitment to careers, education and families, the choir has continued to meet as regularly as possible, and the long wait for a show has been worthwhile.
Expanding on their repertoire of spirituals, choral classics and music adaptable for singing by a choir, the group will be performing a wide selection of songs, almost all of which have never been performed by them before.
Listening to just a few of these is enough to know that the real thing should be well worth a watch. From Negro spirituals – “Go Down Moses” and “Battle of Jericho” to slightly more contemporary favourites – “For the Longest Time” and “From a Distance,” the songs are sung with confidence and in the case of the lighter numbers, the same sense of fun witnessed at the beginning of the practice is clearly communicated and makes for memorable and entertaining listening.
In this sense, the title of the show is apt for not only is the feeling memorable; the music too, with its perfect balance of harmony and good control, seems to ‘resonate’.
The Peterite Chorale will be joined by Adlib and Dilrukshi Fonseka, and accompanied by Neranjan De Silva on Keyboards, Christopher Prins on drums, Sanith De S. Wijeyeratne and Alan Outschoorn on guitar, Hemanga and Kelum on trumpets and Sanjeev Dabare and Dilip Seneviratne on piano.
Resonance is sponsored by Micro Cars and Sarana Auto Seat Manufacturers. TNL Lite will be the electronic media sponsor of the show, while The Sunday Times and The Daily Mirror will be print media sponsors. Tickets are available at the British School Auditorium office from 8 30 am to 4 pm on weekdays and 8 30 am to 1 pm on Saturdays. For further details, contact 0777750802. |
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