ISSN: 1391 - 0531
Sunday June 08, 2008
Vol. 42 - No 54
Mirror  

Following their quest

By Smriti Daniel, Pic by M.A Pushpakumara

Clambering up onto the rocks to take this week's cover picture gave the Soul Sounds group a few difficult moments, but they got there. It's blazingly hot, but the girls have the kind of unwilting professionalism that keeps them smiling throughout. And it's that same quality that we hope is going to get them the gold at this year's World Choir Championships in Austria, that plus the simple fact that they sound fabulous.

Soundari David, Director of the Choir, says they're ready to take on the competition. In fact, The Glorious Quest on June 9 will be one of their last, if not the last, concert before they're off to Austria. It might be a good idea to attend, because the choir is in top form. After a flurry of concerts and many workshops, they've learnt more than a thing or two about not only how to sing their music, but how to feel it.

This is particularly true of their gospel selections. Speaking with the Mirror Magazine, Choir Director Soundari David says that their music is not so much religious as inspirational. Numbers like "Encourage Yourself" and "Song of Thanksgiving" with their soaring, joy-inducing quality bear out her statement. Plus there's plenty more. The choir will be singing from other genres including pop and Sinhala music.

Also in the line-up is the now famous "Seasons of Love", "Africa" by Toto and an all new version of the choir's signature "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." How well the choir is going to do in Austria is the subject of some devout prayers.

Obviously, they're going to be among the best (they did after all win those two silver medals the last time around) but can they be The Best, is what they're asking themselves. Objectively, Soundari can tell you that the group is very talented, but she also knows that the competition is going to be tough – not least because they're going to be competing with choirs for whom genres like gospel music "are in their blood," she says. But especially after their recent workshops, and Soundari's own collaboration with the Berkeley University Choir, Soul Sounds are really feeling their music.

They're aiming for more complexity in their arrangements says Jerome L. de Silva, the group's artistic director, who says that he always advises the girls to "challenge themselves." Jerome who has designed different looks for the choirs to match the various categories in which they will be singing seems to have tremendous faith in them because he's seen them pull together like family. Neranjan de Silva (sound engineer and keyboardist) and Christopher Prins (drums and percussion) who are essential members of the team, will also be going to Graz.

As Soul Sounds prepares to take the spotlight, Soundari makes it a point to thank the people who have got them here. Without the support of families, friends and an ever loyal fan base, "we couldn't have made it so far," she says. The Glorious Quest is on at the Lionel Wendt on June 9, from 7.30 pm onwards. Suntel is the corporate sponsor for the event.

 
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