Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Melodies to mesmerise
Ishani Ranasinghe catches the enthusiastic young ones moving to the rhythm at the rehearsals of Pop Rock and all that Jazz
“When it comes to choral music we are definitely breaking new ground,” says Ruwani Seimon. There is only one way to find out how groundbreaking they are going to be - the rehearsals.

At 6.00 p.m. you can hear the sounds of the junior choir hard at practice, with Ruwani Seimon, director cum producer for the show Pop, Rock and all that Jazz. Going through a series of songs like “Country Roads”, “Lion Sleeps Tonight” and of course “A Whole New World” – these young ones are definitely a treat to listen to and watch.

One person who is brimming with enthusiasm and confidence is twelve-year-old Gyles Dharmadasa. “This is the first time I am taking part in a full length production that goes on for three days,” he says while jumping onto the couch. So, a bit scared? “Nope I am not nervous at all,” comes the prompt reply from Gyles who has been a student of Ruwani for the past six months. The practices are tough, “but I love coming for them because I have so much fun,” he adds.

Someone who admits to being a bit nervous is fifteen-year-old Farrah Watanabe. Her first concert was two years ago. “At that time I was only in the junior choir but this time I am in both,” says Farrah excitedly.

With a line up that includes songs like, “Tragedy”, “I Will Survive”, “Hello” and much more they have a few dance moves to match it. “The practices are a lot of fun,” admits seventeen-year-old Ashanthi Colombage adding that sometimes they really ‘suck’ and ‘Aunty Ruwani’ yells at them. But as she points out the end result is really good, “and we do learn a lot.” Coming for classes to Ruwani for more than half a decade she says through the years she has made a lot of friends at classes.

For many it seems this production is a get together with their old friends, “Right now I am really enjoying being a part of this production,” says Sheranga (17) adding that this is mainly because she gets to interact with her friends.

One of the many highlights of this show is the fusion segment, which introduces new choir arrangements of Sri Lankan folk music such as Dhanno Budunge and Jaya Mangala Gatha, all of which will be arranged by Mahesh Denipitiya.

Over the years Ruwani Seimon has done many productions, so is there any difference this time around. “We have taken a big step ahead from where we were last year,” says Sheranga adding that this concert is definitely going to show how much they have progressed.

“This is going to be a concert that is unique!” adds fifteen-year-old Safra Deen, feeling very excited and privileged to be a part of a production. “Throughout my singing career I have never got this much experience and understood the importance of commitment,” she adds. After listening to their rehearsals I can’t help but agree with them. This concert is going to be enormous, with nearly 100 children and young adults participating all ranging from the age groups of six and a half years to twenty six. Besides well-rehearsed singing and a professionally choreographed performance, the show will have many costume and set changes with spectacular lighting.

Pop, Rock and all that Jazz will take the stage on August 13, 14 and 15 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. The main sponsor of the production is Singer Hi Fi and the co-sponsors are Hutch and National Development Bank. The electronic media sponsors are ETV and E FM while The Sunday Times will be the print media sponsor.

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