Watch out for Vocal Enigma’s ‘Playlist’
The pumped up, daring and talent-packed bunch of choristers who make up ‘Vocal Enigma’ – this time around are all geared to perform “The Playlist” – an evening of contemporary music with a choral twist. With almost all the choristers being from a similar age bracket, there is a familial sense that knits Vocal Enigma together and makes like easier for Choral Director, Maneesh Dasanayake who himself is in his early twenties. “Directing a bunch of young working professionals is no easy task. It has certainly been challenging, but equally rewarding. Not only do we get to sing together and produce music which is unique to the group but also have a whole lot of fun getting there,” says Maneesh.
The group has grown since its inception, back in 2010 when Maneesh set up a choir group as a part of the performing arts society of St. Joseph’s College in Bangalore. Vocal Enigma has grown in leaps and bounds over the course of the past 3 years – producing a sea of talent with two branches – back in India and here at home. “We are a very tight unit and are always there for each other through the good times and the bad, and this has been the groups strength and hallmark. The group consists of members with diverse musical abilities and we all work as a team to make sure every member is at the same level,” Maneesh adds.
While the show will feature a handful of classics, much of it is dedicated to songs of the contemporary era. These songs too come with their own twist, and 24-year old Dave Fernandez (Bass and Beat-boxer) is the man who always pulls a different rabbit out of the hat. “I have the tendency to do crazy things,” says Dave, hinting that he rallies the choir in cornering Maneesh into risky decisions. “We want to give the audiences something different and that means you have to take the risk.”
For 26-year old Harold Elanco (Tenor), it’s all about the family-like atmosphere. “We have a great bond going on and it makes life easy knowing that at the end of the day everyone’s on the same page,” he tells us. Speaking of “The Playlist”, Harold says that most of the songs will be tracks that were released after 2010, which would make it to most of our playlists. It symbolizes the era in which Vocal Enigma came into being, while also making a statement as a young choir group that breaks away from the classics.
Twenty-year old Shalini Dasanayake is of the younger generation of choristers but her voice packs a punch no less powerful than the rest. “I was a part of Vocal Enigma right from its inception, with my brother being the choral director of the group. I currently perform as a soprano and also as a soloist when the right song comes along.”
The 30 choristers of Vocal Enigma hail from diverse musical backgrounds, underscoring the group’s penchant for performing several different genres.
The choir includes Maneesh Dasanayake, Eshan Denipitiya, Vanya Goonathilake, Nuran Gomez, Shehan Wijemanne, Dave Fernandez, Dineli Sun, Ashwin Joseph, Anjula Kurukulasuriya, Lakshini Liyanaratchi, Liza DeJong, Nalini Wijeratne, Shalini Dasanayake, Randini Nanayakkara, Ashani De Silva, Janice Hepponstall, Tarena Navaratne, Praveeni Alahakoon, Maria Gomez, Dilshi Amarasekara, Oshin Dias Abeygunawardena, Andrea Gomez, Harold Elanco, Shehan Jayasekara, Chathuranga Goonathilake, Danile De Silva, Jeremy John De Zilwa, Steven Neydoff, Eraj Perera, Stephan Pereira, and Ranuk Wijesinghe.
“The Playlist” goes on board on November 9 and 10, at the British school auditorium at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are priced at Rs.1500, Rs.1000, Rs.750 and Rs.500.
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