Away from the music, getting to know each other
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Taking place on Wednesday, October 25, the “Parade of Nations” was an evening of festivity and music that celebrated the mid point of the 4th Asia Pacific Choir Games.Speaking to The Sunday Times Mahnaz Fahandej (24) and Setareh Pishva (23) from the “Parse Choir Group” Shiraz, Iran revealed that they were eagerly looking forward to Friday when they would compete in the Champions Competition under the category of Folklore with Accompaniment. “This is our first time in Sri Lanka and it is a pleasure to take part in the competition,” Mahnaz said while Setareh commented on the “great opportunity to get to know people from other countries who belong to different cultures.”
The choristers of ‘Resonance’ at the parade
Latha Kiruba Karan was videoing the parade on her camera phone. Latha had accompanied her daughter who was in one of the Kandy choirs. Latha shares her enthusiasm for seeing something this “grand” for the first time. A self-proclaimed “bathroom singer” she is overwhelmed at this “mind-blowing experience” for her child. “She’s a bit of a shy kid” Latha shares fondly stating that this kind of exposure opened not only doors for her daughter but also allowed her to step out of her comfort zone as a performer.
They came from near and far: Above, Indian choristers and top, Iranian delegation
Two young volunteers – Chanashya Ranaweera and Menashi Rathnayake from Holy Family Convent (Bambalapitiya) have been in charge of the main events at the games. “It’s a completely new experience for me” Chanashya states with Menashi adding “We’re meeting friends and various cultures.” “It never gets boring,” Chanashya says as the various talents at the competition make every contest feel like its own unique show.
Performing a special collection of Russian songs on Thursday (October 26) at the Celebration Concert “Europe Meets Asia”, The Children’s Choir “Alie Parusa of the Art School #1” from Vladivostok, Russia are excited to be in Sri Lanka for the competitions. Borovkova Olga – a parent of chorister Alisa – shares “Our children are very excited to be in Sri Lanka as this is their very first experience here.” She laughingly adds, “This is the season of cold autumn in Russia. Apart from the competitions we are glad to be here in Sri Lanka which is nice and warm.”
Mahnaz Fahandej from Iran
Choir Director of the Ladies’ College Choir Anushka Abhayaratne and senior choir leader Manelka Perera were delighted about their gold medal in the “Grand Prix of Nations” and winning the Open Competition under the category “Gospel, Spiritual, Music of Spirit & Faith”. Anushka, an old girl of Ladies’ College, remarked that the
“high standards” and the “new experience” the Games presented, ensured that she kept the “traditions alive” keeping the focus on Christianity in their arrangements. “This competition has taught us to be true to our music,” she remarked, the magnitude of the Games leaving her in awe. Inspired by many of the international choirs she heard, Manelka comments “The energy of the Indonesian choir and the techniques of the Chinese choirs are points for future performances that I will take out of the Games.”
Borovkova Olga: Happy to get away from the Russian Autumn
Methodist College were big winners in the Asia Pacific Championship and the Grand Prix of Nations under the category of Youth
Volunteer Menashi Rathnayake
Choirs, and their joint choir leaders Adalia Ananthan and Deborah Thavarajasingham commented that the competition was indeed “very exciting.” “We were shocked!” Adalia said, on hearing of their victory. Adalia comments that every achievement the
choir has gained was with “God’s grace.” “It has been a hard journey but an overall amazing experience,” Deborah adds.
Well into the evening the Parade of Nations featured music from drum ensemble “Naadro” and band “Anno Domini”, dancers from the Indian Cultural Centre and students of British School wrapping up an evening of celebrating choirs, music and cultures.
| Celebrating Europe meets Asia | |
 Singing their hearts out: A junior choir from Russia The gala final celebration concert of the Choir Games 2017 “Europe meets Asia” took place on Thursday, October 26 at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre. “Alie Parusa of the Art School #1 in Vladivostok” – a children’s choir from Moscow, “Shenzhen Yuanling Jiujiu Choir” from China, Folk song group “Jane” from Croatia, “The British School in Colombo Choir” and the Riga Orthodox Chamber Choir “Blagovest” from Latvia all performed, presenting music authentic to their countries. Rich in culture, vocal prowess and enviable showmanship, October 26 marked the goosebump-worthy finale to the celebration concerts of the Choir Games. |