Heralding the spirit of Christmas
RADHAKRISHNAN KUTTOOR
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Four choir groups participated in the `Carol Fest' organised by the Department of Sacred Music and Communications in Thiruvalla.
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SONGS OF DEVOTION: `Rock of Ages'.
`Carol Fest,' a programme organised by the Department of Sacred Music and Communications (DSMC), Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, in Thiruvalla, was an event that saw the participation of some of the best carollers in Kerala.
Two hundred singers from four major choir groups in the State participated in the carol festival held at Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Auditorium on SC Seminary Hills in the heart of Thiruvalla.
Kochi-based `Rock of Ages,' led by none other than Jerry Amaldev, Thiruvananthapuram-based `Moses Walsalam Sastriar Chorus,' led by Richy Walsalam, `Thiruvalla Male Voices and Choral Society,' led by Jacob Kurien, and `Kottayam Mixed Voices,' led by Abraham C. Mathew, presented the two-hour musical treat.
`Moses Walsalam Sastriar Chorus'.
It began with the opening hymn, `Oh come all ye Faithful' followed by worship led by Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Saffragan Metropolitan.
It was The DSMC director Sajan P. Mathew who conceptualised the novel programme.
Musical treat
Rock of Ages, which left an indelible impression with their melodic and off-beat orchestration of `Manjil Virinja Pookkal,' was the choir that presented the first number.
The string quartet comprising two violins, one viola and a cello, was one of the highlights of the programme. The Rock of Ages presented three special numbers - two in English and one in Malayalam.
`Thiruvalla Male Voices and Choral Society'.
The Moses Walsalam Sastriar Chorus led by Richy Walsalam, son of the versatile musician, composer and missionary, Moses Walsalam, was the second group to enthral the audience.
The choir began with the number, `Don't miss Christmas by crowding Christ out of your heart.' The all-time favourite, `While Shepherds watched their flocks by night' was the second song, followed by the third and last number, `Cry out and shout thou inhabitants of Zion...'
Kottayam Mixed Voices, formed by a group of music lovers to share the sheer joy of singing together, rendered `Beautiful Baby, sleeping in the manger,' `Christ was born in Bethlehem' and the Malayalam number, `Innee bhoomiyil jatanayie.'
The three scores presented by the Thiruvalla Male Voices and Choral Society, which was formed in 1985, were, `We three kings of Orient are... ,' `Twelve days of Christmas' and the Malayalam number, `Girinirakal paadunnooo.'
Aswin Alias Thomas, who conducts music classes of the Royal School of Music, London, at the DSMC, was at the keyboard.
`Kottayam Mixed Voices' participated in the `Carol Fest' in Thiruvalla.
The four choirs sang the number, `Good Christian men rejoice with heart and soul and voice... ' together under the guidance of Jerry Amaldev.
As the songs reached a crescendo, candles that were distributed among the audience were lit to convey the message of hope. Tiny tots danced to the tune of `Merry Christmas and Happy New Year'.
Dr. Joseph Mar Ireneus Saffragan Metropolitan, DSMC president, released an album, `Pulkoottil Pookkalom,' brought out by the department. The head of the Mar Thoma Church, Philipose Mar Chrysostum, delivered the Christmas message.
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