Their moment to step out with ‘Rise Up!’
View(s):- Metho Cantati celebrates 15 years in the music scene with first major show
Anagi Perera
It’s with the spirit of keeping that joy of singing in their lives that Metho Cantati, the official OGA choir of Methodist College, was formed by Anagi Perera in 2010. And after being on the scene for 15 years, this anniversary seemed just the right time to step out.
‘Rise Up!’ –Metho Cantati’s first major show will be held at the Methodist College auditorium on Saturday, September 13 at 7 p.m.
Having established their name among Colombo’s vibrant choral music scene among other old students’ chorales, Metho Cantati apart from singing at school events, have also been invited to sing at many productions by other choirs – most recently Nostalgic Notes (2024), Hallelujah –Festival of Choirs at the Anglican Cathedral (May 2023), among others.
This show though, is their very own. Their moment. All the songs have been chosen with a specific theme in mind – to empower girls: ‘Rise Up! Her Voice. Her Dream. Her Moment’ is an emphatic celebration, its theme, as Anagi says, inspirational and uplifting.
Given the quality of their choral work, it comes as little surprise that Metho Cantati’s three co-directors Anagi Perera, Manique Abeyratne and Rebecca Surenthiraraj are accomplished singers and versatile musicians with a solid foundation of training. Manique, began sharing directing responsibilities with Anagi from 2012 while Rebecca began playing a bigger role from 2019.
Manique Abeyratne
While there had been earlier sporadic attempts to get an old girls’ choir going at Methodist, it was in 2010 that OGA secretary Dhana Christie-David and Principal Shanthi Dias entrusted Anagi with the task. Anagi is grateful for the faith Ms. Dias, a concert pianist herself, had in her. A soprano soloist who has performed with many leading choirs over the years, Anagi is a Licentiate (Recital in Voice) of the Trinity College of Music London (LTCL), and had trained with Lylie Godridge, Ruwani Seimon and Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu. She also sings with the Colombo Philharmonic Choir.
Writing original arrangements, both vocal and orchestral, and playing several instruments (both western and oriental) in addition to the piano and cello, Manique, who had her early training under Lylie Godridge is also co-director of the Revelations Mixed Voice Ensemble and brings her own special flair to the choir. She is especially delighted that she gets to be on stage with her daughter who is leader of the school choir in a number they co-wrote.
Rebecca who joined Metho Cantati soon after leaving school in 2011 cites Mahen Peiris and Sanjeev Jayaratnam who trained the school choir as formative influences. She herself would go on to be in award winning choirs and teach singing at the Revelations Academy of Performing Arts while also being a founder member of Noted, the award-winning all-female choral ensemble.
Rebecca Surenthiraraj
The choir’s composition has inevitably changed over the past 15 years, with newer old girls coming in, and there’s always much enthusiasm to any call for new members, says Anagi. For this show, they are backed by a band of recent old girls with Senaka Pereira on drums. The school’s own chamber orchestra and senior choir also have their own segments in the programme.
The programme the three of them have put together is entirely in line with their theme of empowerment. The show will open with a very joyful piece, Keith Christopher’s ‘This is the Day’ “setting the stage for the show”, says Anagi. Based on Psalm 118, they felt this song also embodied the Christian values of their school. The mix thereafter is wide and intentionally so. Songs from the musicals –The Greatest Showman, the Prince of Egypt, Wicked and Hamilton, pop mash ups, rousing anthems like Brave, Katy Perry’s Roar, Fight Song, and a medley from Coldplay, all showcasing the choir’s versatility and confidence in embracing different genres with aplomb.
Adding star power are the De Lanerolle Brothers, strong supporters of Metho Cantati joining them as guest artistes in ‘This is the Moment’. They have had Metho Cantati as guests at their Christmas shows, and it’s always a wonderful experience singing with them, says Ishan, adding “they are an incredible choir.” That Rohan’s wife Neyomi is also an MC-ite makes their connection to the school even stronger.
Practices at the school auditorium have been long and frequent stretching into late evenings but as they gather, there is a feeling of friendship and family that transcends any age differences, also just plain fun!
There’s also the joy of giving back. Proceeds of Rise Up! will go to upgrade the school’s IT Lab – an effort they are happy to support.
As Manique puts it, “School is like a second home to us and representing school through song is actually a wonderful platform for us.”
Metho Cantati’s‘ Rise Up!’ will be on September 13 at 7 p.m. at the Methodist College auditorium. It is sponsored by the Informatics Institute of Technology, along with media sponsors Dialog TV, Kiss FM, Daily Mirror, the Sunday Times, Daily FT, Hi!, and Atom.
For reservations, please contact 0762 797 325. Tickets are priced at Rs. 5,000, 4,000, 3,000 and 2,000 with balcony (unreserved) tickets at Rs. 1,000.
Girl power: Giving back to the old school through song. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
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