Happenings / People

Quiet storm drummer

by Mahes Perera

Just twenty four years old and a Bachelor in Computer Science, Sri Lankan born Sumudi Suraweera finds a great deal of inspiration in music. A 'Bachelor of Music in jazz he won a scholarship from the University of Canterbury, Christ Church, New Zealand to complete his doctorate which has brought him back to the land of his roots. The subject you'll be happy to note is Ethnomusicology - specialising in Sri Lankan drumming.

A former student of D. S. Senanayake College, Sumudi at school here, studied the harmonium, took vocal lessons too which became a firm foundation for the appreciation of Sri Lankan folk music. In new Zealand, music continued to tick in him and under the influence of the school's music director the drum phase moved into his life.

"At Chrisht Church while studying my Computer Science degree, I began studying jazz part-time. I missed a lot of lectures in Computer Science, much to the disgust of my parents, but the fact that I got through was great!. I worked as a Programmer but frankly I got sick of the computer, but I finished my jazz degree and that made me happier!

How did Mundi the group come on the scene?

"After jazz school, some of us, who studied together banded. Our interest was World music. I was able to introduce the Sri Lankan aspect of music. We had a guitarist who had lived in Spain and gathered Spanish influences, and a flautist who lived in France - so from her came the French influences and together we jelled".

After your doctorate what?

"No commercial music for me at this stage.I want to be performing more than be stuck as an academic.I want to push new sounds at art and jazz festivals. If not with Mundi any group that evolves from that, to play the music I want to. I was thinking the other day, I would also like to come back to Sri Lanka to start a music academy, something I want to do in earnest, and its no idle talk".

Quiet in demeanour but fiery in his drum expression, Sumudi is a committed player, whose bass drum, stick technique and cymbals sound is individual. He is at home in the different styles - standards to fusion, free jazz and World Music. But he doesn't want to make distinctions. He knows what he wants in the big picture of music and it's growing on him. Good luck Sumudi !

Peace Concert today

Today (July 16) a galaxy of stars will be seen in action at the Elphinstone Theatre from 6.30 p.m. onwards, when the Past Pupils Association of St. Thomas' College, Kotte present their much awaited Peace Concert.

The concert features Annesley with the Super Chimes and the other stars geared to entertain you will be Indrani Perera, Keerthi Pasqual, Sohan Weerasinghe, Rajiv Sebastian, Ronnie Leitch and Corinne Almeida. There's no denying that today's show is going to be great and interesting.

The Past Pupils Association has also extended an invitation to three other singers who in their own right have captured the prime slots in the music industry.

Themselves past pupils of the College, the singers are Malkanthi Nandasiri, Nirmala Ratnatunge and Niranjala Sarojini.

A fund raiser in aid of the Cultural Sports Fund of the College, the Peace Concert at the Elphinstone Theatre today is sponsored by Sunday Observer, Suntel, Westerns Air Express and Derana.

An affirmation of life

by Nalini Jayasuriya

On Saturday morning, July 1 at Peter's College the Peradeniya singers and young professionals commemorated through voice and instrument the genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The choir of thirty that included a few schoolchildren taught, trained and inspired by its brilliant director, Bridget Halpe, delighted the large audience, and was above all, a tribute to a remarkable teacher.

She and her husband Professor Ashley Halpe are essentially teachers, who have encouraged and supported artistic activity at all levels, whether amateur or professional.

It was a joyous experience for all who were there, and like all music that is expressed with understanding and sincerity, it was also an affirmation of life itself.

The program offered something for everyone, ranging from the work of the great masters of Western classical music to a handfull of lively new compositions and two well loved spirituals. Saturday's concert was a witness of the Halpes' abiding concern and effort to give our people the opportunity to know the wonder and power of the music of the world.

Haasinee Andree, their gifted daughter a violinist and teacher in her own right, Dushyanthi Perera and Bridget played the Mozart pianoforte trio with professional skill and artistry, and both Michiko Herat and Dhanusya Amratunga in their pianoforte solos displayed both their skill and understanding of the music of Schumann and Rachmaninoff, respectively.

As I hear again the Ave Verum of Mozart exquisitely sung by the choir, there are tears for Mozart, who highlighted the stars but slipped away in forgotten darkness. But his music incomparable can never die.

All the concerts Bridget arranges are to help some deserving cause, and this one, both in Kandy and Colombo is for the schools for both Deaf and Blind, and the Sadham Dehena centre for the arts in Kandy. What a wonderful gift of wondrous sound and sight for those who cannot hear or see.

They are remembered: as the world through time will remember for ever, the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.