Reminiscing great legacies
Sangeeth DISSANAYAKA
I was taken with a pleasant surprise when an invitation was extended
to me to pen my memoir on a great legacy - the Antonian Chorale, the
choir of St.Anthony’s College Kandy. I am indeed honored and flattered
to go back walking down memory lane to fondly reminisce the humble
beginnings of a great chorale today.
Indeed this choir is one of the few dreams which were shone upon with
the life-giving breath of reality to this date. This is the
dream-come-true of a young Antonian chorister’s desire to sing in a
four-part choir, which never came true during his college tenure as the
lack of resources and guidance shattered even the very last rays of
hope.
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The choir of St.Anthony’s College Kandy |
The first glimpse of a promising beginning was seen when they entered
the auditorium in procession singing the famous carol ‘Once In Royal
David’s City’ during the Carol Service held in 2005.
Famous hymn
I had just arrived from Colombo in acceptance of an Invitation to
attend this Carol Service and I was astounded by the singing, leaving me
gazing at the choir with locked eyes and wandering with amusement -
coming to realize my dream was never shattered and even though hope is
frail, it will prosper and nurture someday, with these kids...
This was the foundation stone of natural raw talent laid with cement
of hope and courage to re-build the great legacy of this chorale. As for
the lines of a famous hymn, “It only takes a spark to get the fire
going....” and that’s the result when a great tradition is vowed to be
continued with blood, sweat and tears.
This spark lead us to embark in a new mission which resulted us in
taking a journey in life which today has enabled to broaden the horizons
of our own worlds... and still we are learning...
It sat seven months on the drawing-board which required countless
hours of research for songs and hymns coupled with sheer commitment from
the young choristers which resulted the first public performance of the
choir to be staged on July 22, 2006 at the College auditorium, after a
lapse of many years.
This was the inauguration of a trade-mark concert - ‘On Eagle’s
Wings’, which eventually ‘launched’ the ‘Antonian Chorale’ on its
journey towards resurrecting and returning to the pristine glory it
enjoyed under the able guidance of the late Cyril Brown, who is
remembered even to date for his commitment and high standards set in the
golden era of this choir in the 60’s.
The Antonian Chorale constantly strived to remain with it’s distinct
and unique identity of being a Gregorian Choir - the pioneers of it’s
kind amongst the Sri Lankan School Choirs.
Showered with praise
These youngsters quickly stole the limelight in the country’s choral
music arena when they sang their hearts out for the ‘Exodus Song - This
Land’ for which they won the Champions Award at the All Island Western
Music Choir Competition in November 2006.
Expectations were high and the bar was raised when the choir was
requested to perform On Eagle’s Wings 2 in Kandy as well as in Colombo
for the first time in January 2007.
Our youngsters were high in spirit and courage with their hearts and
souls filled with passion; they were adamant to prove their counterparts
in Colombo that the Eagles are soaring high on sky...
I could still reminisce them singing ‘Let There Be Peace On Earth’ as
the first performance which at the end, stunned the audience with a
moment of silence before they were showered with praise and applause!
This choir, whilst following the Gregorian traditions, is yet so
versatile and their song selection ranged from acapella versions of ‘La
Montanara’ and the likes of ‘In the Still of the night’(Boyz2Men),
Bridge Over Troubled Water and even rock hits like ‘We Will Rock You’
and themes like ‘World In Union’ (Theme Song from 1999 Rugby World Cup)
On Eagle’s Wings has now become a tradition and a trade-mark for St.
Anthony’s College, adding yet another feather in her cap!
Golden tears
On Eagles’s Wings 3 held in February 2008 marked a historical
milestone for the chorale as they launched their maiden CD - Antonian
Melodies: Chimes of Brotherhood.
This was a long-felt need which came to reality with nearly 1-year’s
careful preparation and hard work all round. The result was a CD with 16
of the best renditions by the chorale which included the likes of Veni
Creator Spiritus, Panis Angelicus, Jerusalem, Gloria a’Te Cristo Jesu,
Advent Peace Cannon and the contemporaries such as You Raise Me up,
Sound of Silence, Shout to the Lord, Tears In Heaven, Lovely Lord etc.
However, the highlight of the CD production and the concert was when
the College Anthem - Rally Round The Banner was sung in four-part
harmony as a full choir for the very first time in the history. This
would definitely lake the eyes of many Young and Old Antonians here and
overseas with golden tears in appreciation and utmost respect to their
Alma Mater.
Proper guidance
The year 2008 was a great success to the chorale as a unit as it
reveals by the very words of the Choir Master, Rev. Fr. Araliya
Jayasudara - “I am both relieved and over-joyed. God has been so
gracious towards us, that he has seen to the successful completion of
the season”
Now it is the time of the year for all to witness the fourth edition
of On Eagle’s Wings 2009 to be held this October!
These youngsters are truly talented and with proper guidance and
mentoring throughout the years, they have reached many heights in choral
singing by now. Rev. Fr. Jayasundara says, “The choristers have come of
age, it’s not the struggling singers who sang “Let there be Peace” in
2007. The present crowd is dynamic and versatile. They surpass me in
many ways’.
I was given a pleasant surprise when I heard this time the boys are
singing “Handel’s Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus” which is often sung by
the most professional of choirs and not tried by many ordinary choirs -
certainly one would not expect this from a Sri Lankan School Choir.
May the Holy Spirit spark the fire of courage and wisdom in these
young hearts, so they are able to spread the love and friendship to all
around...
May our dear alma mater sing along with each voice, to praise and
glorify God...
Lux de Coelo!
The writer is a young past Antonian who has had constant
coordination with this choir from it’s inception up to date. |
