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DateLine Sunday, 15 June 2008

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Admirable commitment to music




Soundarie David.

The eleventh of July is going to be another red letter day for the youth choir Soul Sounds. On that day the choir will be competing in the 5th World Choir Games - Musical Mundi at Graz, Austria, with choirs from all over the world.

The driving force behind Soul Sounds is their Director, Soundarie David who is fully in the throes of rehearsals making the girls work with a commitment that is unbelievable.

“This Year’s Choir competition is going to be tough but the determination to reach the heights on the part of the choir is admirable. We learnt a lot from the last competition held in China. This competition takes place every two years and there are three categories.

The Gospel and Spiritual category requires us to sing four songs, one of which is unaccompanied. There’s the Pop and Jazz category for which again four songs have to be sung with one song sung unaccompanied.

The third category is Folklore and here the four songs that the choir sings will be accompanied. I have left Jerome de Silva our artistic director to work out the format, for this section “reveals Soundarie who took time off in between her rush of work to speak with us.

Twenty seven highly talented girls comprise Soul Sounds and their leaders are Andrea Melder and Milanga Jayawickrema. Two other vital musicians who will be going to Graz with the choir will be their keyboardist Neranjan de Silva who is also their sound engineer and Christopher Prins who is their drummer and percussionist.

What are the logistics in competing. Do you have to go through semi finals etc?

“No. Because we have won a competition before the choir doesn’t have to compete in qualifying. Yet it is important that we have to work harder and the girls are quite critical of themselves and that is good.”

You worked with the Berklee University Choir recently how has that influenced your style with Soul Sounds?

“Working with the eminent Berklee Choir was refreshing and I learnt something new in gospel singing which I have passed on to Soul Sounds. Ofcourse we have to remember that gospel singing comes naturally to them and many of the finer points of the expression of the songs I have made Soul Sounds acquire.

In January this year a workshop was held with conductor Professor Mark Wilson from Berklee and the choirs gospel singing has improved considerably.”

Funding the choir to Austria is not cake walk, how have you tackled the issue?

“The Tourist Development Authority is backing us and our principal sponsors are Deutsch Bank and the Dr. Earle de Fonseka Memorial Trust Fund.

We thank them sincerely for giving the girls the opportunity to take part in the competition.” We all know that Soundarie David and her choir Soul Sounds have come a long way since they started and are now a familiar sight on the international concert stages.

Here’s wishing her and the choir all good luck and may they come back with the Gold Award.


Successful launch



Petronella Fernando in performance.

Oba Nisa 2 was held at the Lionel Wendt Theatre in association with the Sri Lankan Tourism Authority under the distinguished patronage of Renton de Alwis, Chairman of the Tourism Authority.

After a spell of time Petronella Fernando was back in Sri Lanka from the States to launch her second CD with a successful concert.

A capacity filled audience at the Lionel Wendt was appreciative of her vocals as she sang with the orchestra of Manoj Pieris. To those who enjoy Sinhala songs away from today’s modern tempo of ‘hip-hop’ which is now a kind of a cult with the youth, Petronella’s songs were a breath of relief and fragrance to them.

The Chandana Wickramasinghe Dancers enhanced the performances of Petronella.

The programme that evening saw Petronella also duet with Upali Kannagara in two songs - Danga Kaara Kam Karala and Mang Dannawa Hore.

Guest artistes were the nightingale of song Neela Wickramasinghe and Amarasiri Pieris. Petronella’s devotion to the country’s culture is laudable and her efforts to keep the culture alive in the United States deserves is added praise.

M.P.


International Music Day

What began in France way back in 1982 is now a yearly event globally. The International Music Day which falls on June 21 is celebrated by professionals as well as amateur musicians. In France they took to the streets to mark the arrival of Spring and thousands flock to enjoy and let themselves go the whole day through. Here in Sri Lanka the event has grown in popularity amongst the young and old and people of all ages are keen in participating.

This year the International Music Day will take place at the Alliance Francaise from 12 noon to 7 pm on June 21. So here’s your opportunity to showcase your hidden talents.

Amateurs, Professionals, Bands,Dancing Schools, Ballet Schools etc or if you can sing in any language or play a musical instrument don’t miss out on this opportunity. The organisers of Fete de la Musique will also give a chance to the up-and-coming comperes to display their talents.

Music will be provided by the popular band Annesley and the Super Chimes or you could have your own music group to those who wish to sing. Entrance is free so make sure you are there.

Jayantha Gunasekera informed us that on this (June 21) day he will be performing at the Paris International Music Day organised by the Army de Salute France and will be held at the Centre Espoir, rue chevalert Paris. The event will commence in Paris at 2.30 pm and go on till midnight. Jayantha Gunasekera and his band Jazz-Cola who will be participating has released two albums - Sri Lankan Bhajan and Sarva Dhamma Gee.


Evergreens a plenty

Its a different type of entertainment at the lobby of the Ceylon Continental on Monday nights as Sam the Man well known for his sing-a-long sessions will have the spotlight focused an him. He will entertain you backed by Ernest Francis - piano and Kamal Fernando acoustic bass. Those of you who savour the evergreens of yesteryear will have the opportunity to listen to your favourites with Sam the Man.


Specially for the seniors

Rid yourself of stress and anxiety by participating in MAGSAL an evening of entertainment provided by Marianne David specially designed for those over forty years of age and with a desire to sing.

A cross section of this society have participated at previous MAGSAL evenings sung their hearts out many of them not averse to ‘shaking a leg.’ This mouth MAGSAL will be held on June 18 and those interested in participating should confirm with Maryanne David whose legendary knowledge of vocal music from the classics to the contemporary is hard to beat.


Sing-a-long Nite 3

Following the success of the two earlier Sing-a-long Nites the Old Thomians Swimming Club will stage their third Nite on June 21 from 8.00 pm to 11 pm at the Club House. This time the popular Annesley Malawana will be featured backed by his band Super Chimes.

All time favourite Sinhala pop hits of the 70s by the Moonstones and Super Golden Chimes will be sung by Annesley and also some of the popular English oldies. The show will be compered by Brian Thomas.

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