The Saints go singing on
For the Saints choir, practices mean a little more than just singing; they’re a celebration of old friends, family and the recollection of memories. Hearty laughs and chit-chat ensues before they get down to the business of singing, and every practice begins with a little prayer. As they gear up for their seventh concert -’Thank You for the Music’ on October 19, the Saints say that their family-like bond is indeed the true secret of their success.
Suren Abeysekera conducting The Saints at a practice session. Pic by Indika Handuwala
Their rather interesting name, comes from the fact that they are a collection of old-choristers from many of the Saints schools in the country. “We’ve all been a part of our school choirs and it was the need to keep the music going that brought us together,” says Suren Abeysekera who shoulders the responsibility of training the choir, along with Priyanke Perera.
The choir consists of old boys from the Saints schools with Nalake Fernando, Gladwyn Ramanaden and Placi Gomez from St. Benedict’s College, Suren Abeysekera, Janith Abeysekera, Allan Perera and Russell Gomesz from St. Joseph’s College, Priyanke Perera and Chanu De Mel from St. Anthony’s College Kandy, Mohan Mendis and Rohan Fernando from S. Thomas’ College, Marlon Bjorn from St. Peter’s College and Kenneth Pereira from St. Mary’s College.
Their youngest member is 24, their oldest 70. One may wonder how singers within a wide range of ages would gel together, but they put any doubts to rest with the pitch-perfect harmony of their music. “We’re a four part harmony group and we sing everything from the classics to retro, and Sinhala hits,” says Suren.
“We sing music that’s known to people, but we also try to keep things a little different,” says President of the Saints, Nalake Fernando, adding that they’ll be doing a couple of numbers that will get the crowd in on the act. “You wouldn’t find a choir doing a sing-along everyday now would you,” he smiles.
There’s a kind of Hush, My Broken Souvenirs, Lying in the arms of Mary, If I said you had a beautiful body, Spanish Eyes, Just wanna’ dance the night away, Bridge o’er Troubled Water – are just a few of the popular songs they will perform, while Sinhala hits such as the Nimal Mendis classic ‘Master Sir’, will definitely get the crowd humming along.
This year has not been all smiles for the Saints, with the sad loss of bass singer and founder member, Bosco Fonseka. “It was a heavy blow to the choir when we lost him in April,” says Suren. “He was an inspiring member and a highly gifted musician, and we find it fitting to dedicate this year’s concert to Bosco.”
For Priyanke, assisting the choir in their training brings forth a sense of joy that is difficult to sum up in words. “Our families are close and our bond goes beyond the generations. It takes a lot of dedication to deliver consecutive concerts every year, but our unity makes things all the more easier.” Almost every member of the choir also shoulders heavy responsibilities in the professional sphere of work, but still makes time to come for the evening practices thrice a week. “Catching up on old times just might be an incentive,” smiles Priyanke.
It is choir member Allan Perera’s home in Kotte that they all crash into for practices. “Better be careful with that stool,” he says with a grin, as the choir crowds around for a group picture. Allan says that he chickened out on the first invitation to join the choir in its early stages, but gladly accepted the second invitation in 2009.
As has always been the case of a Saints concert, part of the proceedings will go to charity. “We’ve made it a point to give back to the community and the Saints family has been rewarded with stronger bonds in return,” says Suren.
The Saints are backed by the accomplished Dayadhree Jayasuriya de Silva on piano, Revel Crake on guitar, Basil Paiva on bass and Daniel Prins on drums and percussion.
‘Thank You for the Music will be held on October 19, at the Lionel Wendt. Tickets are priced at Rs. 1,000, Rs. 700 (reserved) and Rs. 300 (unreserved)
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