Carrying on the traditions of STC’s Canon Roy Yin
Ishan De Lanerolle’s first memory of the late Canon Roy Yin dates back to 1998, when he was a senior at S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia. Ishan remembers the hush as the Reverend walked past the students in graceful stride. Even many of those who had the privilege of being mentored by him, including former choir master Russell Bartholomeusz were in awe of the person who is credited with lifting the Thomian Choir to the heights it currently enjoys.
Serving as the chaplain of S. Thomas’ from 1947 to 1962, the late Canon Roy Yin inculcated values of unsurpassed music and discipline within the choir. He inaugurated the famous Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, based on the pattern that was followed at King’s College, Cambridge where he had served as the chaplain before coming to Sri Lanka. This service is still a highly anticipated event and for many heralds the season of Christmas in Colombo.
Subsequent to his demise in 2010, the Canon Roy Yin fund was set up to help the college choir continue in his footsteps and widen their horizons in music. Thus it seems fitting that old Thomians and former choristers Rohan and Ishan de Lanerolle will join the S. Thomas’ choir in presenting ‘God so loved the world’, a choir service in aid of the fund on June 30.
Rohan and Ishan never learned music under Canon Roy Yin, but were privileged to be taught by one of his most promising students –former choir master Russell Bartholomeusz. “The same values that Father Roy held close to his heart, permeated down to us through Russell Bartholomeusz. The choir was a hard-working one and we used to practise almost four times a week,” says Ishan. This service will be very much close to heart, and will bring back happy memories for the brothers.
“The S. Thomas’ College choir dates back to 1854, and has ever since been an integral part of the life of the school,” says Sub Warden, Rev. Marc Bilimoria. “The choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music in the UK, and has maintained the high standards that it is revered for.” Rev. Bilimoria mentions how a sound appreciation for the choral music tradition and meticulous precision was instilled in the choir by the late Canon Roy Yin, who was also a brilliant mathematician. “The choir drew much influence from Father Roy Yin and much of the traditions that are jealously guarded by the choir were handed down by him,” he adds. Highlighting the importance of the fund, he says that it will help the choir garner new music and pave the way for an overseas tour, and perhaps fittingly a memorial service for Canon Roy Yin in Singapore – his home country.
Speaking of next Sunday’s service, present choir master Vinodh Senadheera tells us that it will encompass the significant events of the Christian calendar. “Hymns and anthems will symbolise every event from Advent to All Saints, and will be accompanied by short narrations,” he says. Vinodh is one of Russell Bartholomeusz’s protégés and thus continues to fortify the strong walls of tradition that were built by Canon Roy Yin.
“Collaborating with the De Lanerolle brothers has been an amazing experience, and as any good choir would do, we learn from great singers – and we certainly have learnt a lot from them,” Vinod adds. “That is why we continue to invite them for the service and their humbleness never fails to inspire us.”
‘God so loved the world’, will be held on Sunday, June 30 at 6 p.m at the Chapel of Transfiguration Mount Lavinia. Entrance will be through tokens priced at Rs. 750, available at The Commons, Park Street Mews and the STC OBA Secretariat.
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