Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Soul Sounds on the net
By Smriti Daniel
This group can boast singers with the voices of angels; fortunately for the lot us, these singers are also down to earth, fun entertainers whose music is not just beautiful, but utterly enjoyable as well. Put your hands together for the choir with charisma – Soul Sounds.

Last week, the all-female ensemble launched their website www.soulsounds.org. Boasting 11 sections such as the “Choir Profile,” “Photo Gallery,” Upcoming Events,” “Musicians,” and “Contact the Choir,” the site is informative and colourfully laid out and so serves its purpose admirably. For fans of the group, it is a warehouse of information; for those interested in contacting the ensemble, all the details are available, and for those who simply want to keep up with the doings of the choir, this is the place to find out all about them.

Soul Sounds has established a reputation as being one of the finest choirs in the country, a reputation that has only been strengthened and enhanced by each newly added accomplishment. Originally the choir of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, their first brush with fame was when they were declared the first runners up in the youth choir category at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. They were placed ahead of numerous other competing choirs from countries all over the world including the U.S.A, Australia, U.K, Israel and Canada among others.

Once the girls left school, they re-united under the inspired music direction of Soundarie David and the artistic direction of Jerome L. de Silva. Since then, to use a cliché, they have never looked back. Regular accompanists are Christopher Prins on drums and Neranjan de Silva on keyboard.

Over the last two years, the choir has been surprisingly active and already can boast of collaborations with international stars. For instance, in January 2005, the choir came together to work on a record project to raise funds for victims of the tsunami. A major achievement, it raised millions for charity with Soul Sounds singing alongside the likes of Cliff Richards, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, Russell Watson, the illustrious contemporary tenor, Robin Gibb and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, Steve Winwood, Boy George, Chicago and others.

The girls are recovering from their successful concert this August, appropriately titled Celebrating Wales, and are now in throes of planning a Christmas concert with the Peterite Chorale and the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka. Also in the wind is Moods of Christmas 2005 at the Colombo Plaza, and most demanding of all – the Choir Olympics in Xiamen, China, June 2006.

Top