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| Sunday, 23 November 2003 |
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Musical memories - from a host of students Music for Unity 2003' the National Music Festival organised by the Western Music Unit of the Ministry of Human Resource Development Education and Cultural Affairs, held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Auditorium recently was a resounding success with 2,500 school children islandwide participating in the Festival. The unbelievable enthusiasm, high standard of performance and discipline displayed by the children augurs well for the future of Western Music in Sri Lanka. The Chief Guest at the Festival was the Minister of Human Resource Development, Education and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Karunasena Kodithuwakku and Mrs. Kodithuwakku. It was a Herculean task to bring together this large number of school children from different environments and lifestyles, on one stage, to sing and play in harmony. All credit must go to the Department of Examination, the National Institute of Education Media Unit and to the energetic and dedicated Maya Abeywickrema, Consultant Western Music - HRD, E&CA and Founder - Co-ordinator of the National Youth Orchestra. "This Festival was last held in 1998 and I was determined that this year we overcome all barriers to stage the show. There were more than 2,500 participants - the different choirs, the National Youth Orchestra, the dance groups - from all parts of the country. This is an important programme of the Ministry, taking Western Music to the rural child, and we can proudly claim we have achieved results quite remarkably. Taking centre-stage at the Festival was the National Youth Orchestra which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year with the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as Chief Guest" says Maya Abeywickreme whose brainchild is not only the National Youth Orchestra but also the National Music Festival, aimed at bringing Western music within the reach of all the school going children in Sri Lanka. The mechanics of presenting such a show would surely have been a major task? "Yes. Rehearsals were held at Visakha Vidyalaya every Saturday and students in batches came in from schools islandwide. Previous to the rehearsals the music that was to be performed was sent on audio cassettes to the participating schools for their individual rehearsals. There was the National Youth Orchestra the conductors were Ajit Abeysekera, Dayananda Fernando and Manilal Weerakoon, while the National Youth Choir was conducted by Dayan Fernando. They were a solid support and I thank them sincerely for their efforts. Western Music in schools commenced from 1974 and today the University recognises the National Youth Orchestra. Most of the members join the Symphony Orchestra to further pursue their musical interests. The programme at the Festival was an interesting cross section of music. From the classical world the 'Light Cavalry Overture' by von Suppe, the Finale from the 5th Symphony by Beethoven, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1 and 4 by Edward Elgar and Strauss' Blue Danube Waltz which was choreographed. 'Dhanno Budunge', 'Dakune Nagenehira' a Tamil Unity Song and Olu Pipila were also included. From the popular world of music this large choir sang 'People Over The World', 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing', a selection from the Beatles Songbook, a medley of golden oldies and the song 'We Are Sri Lanka' composed by singer Antoinette de Alwis with lyrics by Antoinette and Upali Attanayake. Antoinette who conducted the choir for this song at the concert spoke laudably about the performance of the children. "I was emotionally moved when I heard them sing. They were so good, it was amazing. They never faulted in their singing and their interest in music was extremely encouraging. If you missed the concert - you have only yourself to blame it was a one-in-a-lifetime", voices Antoinette de Alwis, in praise. |
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