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Over 187 students of the Academy of Organ Music will present 'We Got The Beat,' a musical extravaganza featuring popular and semi-classical music at the Lionel Wendt on July 1 and 2 at 7 p.m.

Managing Director of the Academy, Shyama Perera says that the show this year will be unique. At a given time there will be 10 organs with 10 students on stage, at different levels that will perform consecutively, ensuring optimum usage of time.

The programme also includes free style dance items choreographed by Manique Nedoff, Sinhalese folk dances directed by Mohan Sudusinghe, items with a combination of instruments like the organ, guitar and violin and a sing-along with the audience.

“The occasion will present an invaluable opportunity for students to perform for an audience, get over their stage fright and gain confidence, all of which would eventually contribute to developing their personality," Shyama adds.

Shyama Perera is herself a well-known organist having performed at various charity concerts locally and at an international concert at the Singapore Victoria Theatre in March 2003.

She is the first Asian organist to become a fellow of the Trinity College, London. Having started in 1990 with 14 students the Academy currently has 260 students between ages 5 and 18 learning the various exciting features that today's organs boast - different beats, instruments, etc., annually upgraded by Yamaha. Adult classes are held in the mornings. The Academy also trains students to sit for exams of the Trinity College, London and the London College of Music.

The proceeds of the show will go to 'Women in Need (WIN)' a volunteer organisation that works to eradicate violence against women and children.
Tickets are available at the Lionel Wendt from June 26.

His unique voice has charmed millions of fans around the globe. However, it’s not just the voice, but the man himself, with his endearing sense of humour and self-deprecating jokes.

In a career spanning 35 years Engelbert Humperdinck has generated sales in excess of 130 million records, including 64 gold albums and 24 platinum, four Grammies, a Golden Globe and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

He has performed for the Queen, several presidents and many heads of state. He had recorded everything from the most romantic ballads to movie theme songs, disco, rock and even gospel. Engelbert has even managed to strike a new chord with a younger generation after appearing on MTV several times.

The youngest boy of a family of ten children originally from Leicester, Arnold George Dorsey grew up in Madras, India, where his father was stationed during World War II.

At the age of 11 he started studying music and playing the saxophone. When he was 17, Engelbert found himself playing at a pub that sponsored a singing contest. Goaded by his friends to enter, he put down his sax and for the first time revealed another vocal talent: impersonations.

Arnold George Dorsey gave the world’s finest impression of Jerry Lewis – and was quickly dubbed Gerry Dorsey by his fans. It soon became his professional stage name. Gerry Dorsey was very popular on the UK music circuit and in 1959 he recorded a single called ‘Crazybells/Mister Music Man’ on Decca Records. However, he contracted tuberculosis, which silenced him for six months and nearly snuffed out his rising music career for good. Upon regaining his health, Gerry Dorsey knew he had to bury his old, somewhat tainted image to make a comeback as a strong, dynamic performer. A former manager suggested the new name Engelbert Humperdinck, taken from the Austrian composer who wrote Hansel and Gretel. It was outrageous enough to be memorable. And thus was born the soon-to-be legend, Engelbert Humperdinck.

The all new Engelbert exploded on to the music scene in the Sixties with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Tom Jones. His first single in the charts was Release Me, which went into the Guinness Book of Records for achieving 56 consecutive weeks in the charts. It was No. 1 in 11 countries. The song was re-released recently after being used for a UK national television commercial for John Smith’s beer.

Over recent years the life of this living legend has by no means slowed down. In 2004 Englebert published his first autobiography embarked on another worldwide tour, came fifth in a premiership international golf tournament and became patron for the Emergency Ambulance Service in his home town. All whilst recording his latest album Let There Be Love. “I never know what’s coming next but it’s certainly been a wonderful journey!”

Engelbert’s music has transcended time, and his honeyed, mellow voice still continues to reach out to people now serving to transport and inspire us, to embrace and uplift us, and to provoke feelings and emotion… ingredients that are no doubt the essence of his long-lasting success.