In February 2007, they created a ‘Rhapsody in Blue’. In August 2008, they dreamed up ‘Sogni Romani’ (Roman Dreams). This month St. Cecilia’s Choir of St. Joseph’s college will take the stage again to present ‘Musical Mystique’.
On Saturday October 29 at 6.30 p.m., 60 young voices, in beautifully blended 4-part harmony, aim to mesmerize an audience. These energetic 11 to 18-year-olds train together every Saturday morning, with extra practices thrown in whenever special events come along. Despite the disparity in age and temperament, as well as size and shape, the young singers enjoy a happy harmony – not simply in their musical achievements, but in the relationships nurtured among the choristers, their youthful but competent choir leaders and their dedicated choral director Francis D’Almeida, and conductor Nishantha Warnakulasooriya.
The St. Cecilia’s Choir specializes in classical and sacred music – in June this year, their performance at a special ‘Pope’s Day’ concert at Galle Face Hotel, staged for members of the Diplomatic Corps, was hailed by discerning music lovers. Yet, this young choral group are also masters of many other types of music.
Musical Mystique comprises 3 main segments the opening classical segement, etnic and pop segment. The opening Classical Segment is devoted to compositions by Mozart, including his difficult and demanding Requiem, followed by Kyrie, Dies Irae and Ave Verum. The ethnic segment, featuring a traditional Sinhala Kamatha, a Tamil composition Ottagathai Kattico, the stirring Nadee Ganga Tharanaya made popular by Chitral Somapala, and in Hindi, the Indian National Anthem arranged by A. R. Rahuman. The concert will wind up on an upbeat note, with songs such as Billy Joel’s ‘Uptown Girl’, toe-tapping selections from Michael Jackson (a Tenor-Bass Acapella arrangement by the Senior choristers) and a gleefully rendered ‘Glee medley’ are on the musical menu for the night. Some of these are skilful and creative adaptations and arrangements by the senior choristers themselves.
The Old Joes Choir (currently led by Gehan Goonetilleke and Shiran Cooray) will make a special guest appearance. Musical Mystique is a fund-raiser for the Choir’s proposed tour to Italy (including a concert at the Vatican) in May next year.
Tickets for the show will be available at St. Joseph’s College (Pool Entrance), Union Chemists (Union Place & Deans Road), Harpo’s Restaurants, Liberty Plaza (Tea Tang shop, Ground Floor) and Arpico Supercentr. |
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