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31st March 2002

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Austria's young Ambassadors, the Vienna Boys share some experiences with Esther Williams

Messengers of music

To be able to tour the world is for many of us a chance in a lifetime. But to visit new places and people, be exposed to different cultures and cuisines all between 10 and 14 years of age, is indeed quite remarkable.

With angelic voices and faces to match, the 23-member Vienna Boys Choir visiting Sri Lanka this week were at the tail-end of a two-month long world tour that had seen them performing in the US, Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo, South Korea and Taiwan. Here in Sri Lanka, they sang to packed audiences at St. Theresa's Church, Thimbirigasyaya, the Colombo Hilton and the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.

But touring is not all hard work and no play. The Vienna Boys who are ambassadors of Austria, also visited the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela, sang for the children at Lady Ridgeway Hospital and were introduced to Sri Lanka's favourite sport, yes, cricket, by master batsman Aravinda de Silva himself.

To be in the Vienna Boys Choir, one of the most prestigious children's choirs in the world which dates back to the 14th century is no mean achievement. Very often the handpicked young choristers have to forgo activities that other children of their age enjoy. 

Although it does not require the intensive and rigorous training that gymnasts or ballet dancers go through, it does require hard work and dedication. Each of them is trained to be a 'messenger of music'.

Back in Vienna, in their Baroque Palace choir school home, the Augartenpalais the young lads practise for two hours every day. Alex (13), now in grade III has been a chorister for the past 2 1/2 years. Prior to that he was in the preparational choir for four years. To get into the prep choir, a boy should be able to sing a melody and keep to the rhythm. A voice test after a couple of years at the prep choir would decide if he can join one of the four touring choirs. 

Alex enjoys singing the lighter, contemporary songs more than the classical ones. Besides being in the choir Alex has time for other hobbies such as swimming and cycling, he says.

It is the first year of being in the choir for Shandor (11). On this particular tour, the choir has rehearsed songs and music from different parts of the world, entitled 'Journey round the world.' Having sung songs from the countries already visited, they also have ready a Sinhalese song, which Shandor finds a little difficult.

"I miss my parents," smiles little Amrit (12), a very Sri Lankan looking Indian who is proud to be a part of the choir. He and half-Japanese Rene (12) add an Asian touch to the group. Both the boys have been brought up in Vienna and therefore speak mostly German. Amrit who plays the violin also enjoys swimming, gymnastics and drawing.

During this tour, two trained caretakers have been in charge of the well-being of the children who incidentally are not allowed citrus drinks or chilled water. Two parents who are also trustees of the Vienna Boys Choir have accompanied the group. 

"The organizers are under a strict contract with regard to food and other arrangements. Although western food is provided, the boys are open to trying out mild Sri Lankan food," says Ms. Jesse Muller who along with her husband Paul Muller were the main organizers of the concert. The Vienna Boys Choir concerts were a result of an initiative of Mr. Paul Muller, President of the Organising Committee. All proceeds from the concerts will go to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital.

Parents of the choir members are allowed to attend any of the concerts or visit the children, in whichever country they are in and when they do, seats are reserved for them. 

The children themselves are free to call or fax their parents whenever they like. This certainly makes the separation easier for them.

While on tour the boys have a 1 1/2 hour warm-up session before each concert. "They are normal boys who engage in different leisure activities," says Choir Conductor Martin Schebesta who is only strict when it comes to music. 

It is usually at the age of 14 that a boy's voice cracks which means he can no longer be in the choir. Recruiting and training new voices is therefore an on-going process.

Besides conducting, the 38-year-old Mr. Schebesta also plays the piano as accompanist. He has also been responsible for some of the musical arrangements, a few of which have been specially composed for this tour. Almost all the songs are sung in 3-4 part harmony, while some are done 'a cappella' (without accompaniment) that helps an audience appreciate more fully their exceptional voices. Solo singing and instrumental music have also been included in the programme.

"Music is a universal language that everyone understands. With so much hostility among people and nations, it is music that can help people get together," says Mr. Schebesta. "People around the world are not so different, they share the same feelings and have more in common than we realize."

What they sing
Formed in 1498, the choir's repertoire was originally for the Emperor Maximillian and featured mainly church music. It was relaunched as a private institution in 1920 and started touring to raise funds as they did not have support from the government. 

Today the choir consists of 100 choristers between 10 and 14 are divided into four touring choirs.The four choirs are named after four composers who were associated with the choir-Bruckner, Hayden, Mozart and Schubert. They give over 300 performances each year. Each group performs 9-10 weeks of the year on tour around the world. Besides church and classical music they do traditional and contemporary music too. They have had the privilege of being conducted by Zubin Mehta and Richardo Meele amongst others. Music for the movie 'Primal Fear' was done by the Vienna Boys Choir. Celebrities whom the Vienna Boys have performed for include Jimmy Carter, Napoleon Bonaparte, Diana Spencer and Bill Clinton. This is their third visit to Sri Lanka.



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