Visakhians rejoice with their voice!
by Nilma Dole
For the first time in history, Sri Lanka took great pride in proving to the world that they can sing their hearts out just as their musical counterparts around the world. And the choir singers were not major professionals who made music their career but students who were actually sitting for their OL and AL examinations whilst singing.
The singers came in the form of the junior and senior girls of Visakha Vidyalaya who, armed with only practice sessions every Wednesday evening, went on to win the Gold Diploma award at the 8th Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod 2010 international choir competition held recently.
The choral director Sanjeev Jayaratnam and head of music at Visakha Vidyalaya Vajira Nanayakkara were the pillars of strength for the girls to make sure they took the limelight with their singing! Nanayakkara said, “It’s not all about the studying and pressuring your children to pass with flying colours in their studies - music actually makes a child, a well-balanced individual.” Despite the obstacles in gaining approval for students from a government school to attend such a prestigious and international competition, they managed to make it in time to sing eloquently.
“Even though we had a fund-raising concert to collect money for this competition, as of now, there is a dearth of sponsorships that hamper the potential for us to go one level higher” she said. She added, “The choir started in 1990 and managed to keep their momentum with great coaching by the late Lylie Godridge, Eshantha De Andrado and Willie Godridge. I thank them very much for laying the foundation for choir singing at Visakha Vidyalaya”.
The pavilion of 8th Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod 2010 is focused on the international choir competition that has four categories, oone for Children, two for Youth and one for folklore.
About the competition itself, choral director Jayaratnam, who is part of our Sri Lankan all-male choir the Revelations ranked the 4th best choir group in the world, said, “By coming from a school where you study full-time and sing part-time, where competition is tight with many international choir groups having full-time singers and with an international judging panel at the Choral Eisteddfod, these girls certainly proved that they could overcome all odds to take home a Gold Diploma!”
Menaka Sahabandu, an old girl gave her support by accompanying the girls on the vocal journey too.
Speaking to the Sunday Observer magazine was one of the choir singers, Surincilli Fernando, who said, “Even though I will be sitting for the AL this August and even though the competition was held in the midst of my study leave, it was a refreshing break that made me feel motivated to sing and take studying as it came along without any pressure.” She added, “ It’s difficult that most girls are pushed into performing academically, shunning all creative aspirations aside all because their parents want them to outperform others.”
Also adding her comments was Roshana Cooray who managed to sit for her London AL exam by participating with the choir just days before her exam. She said, “It wasn’t easy for all of us to see the talent on display from the other choirs but we managed to discipline ourselves, hold our head high and hit the right notes. Luckily, we won a Gold Diploma for a school that doesn’t even have a tradition of choir singing!”
By taking an example from these energetic and motivated girls, the smile on their faces when they sing and the wonderful harmony exuding from them, parents should realise that its not all about the books and academia that turns a child into a well-balanced individual. It’s about creativity and talent to make a child relax and enjoy going to school by humming a tune!
Visakhians Highlight Sri Lankan Talent In Malaysia
By Dilini Perera
The Visakha Choir after winning the Gold Diploma at the 8th Choral Eisteddfod held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I hear excited chatter as I walk into the practice area at Visakha and the reason is obvious. This is their first practice after winning a Gold Diploma at the 8th Choral Eisteddfod held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As the choir broke out into a spirited rendition of Proud Mary with their choral director, I sat down with the teacher-in-charge to speak about their journey and experiences.
Vajira Nanayakkara, the teacher-in-charge for the past 20 years and believes wrongly that it’s indeed time to quit, is immensely proud of her students. The choir, which began in 1990 under the tutelage of the late Lylie Godridge, has trained under a few choir directors such as Eshantha De Andrado and Willie Godridge. “Sanjeev Jayaratnam , who joined in August last year, has had an amazing impact on the students. We have to thank him for his tireless efforts. The children responded so well to him”.
The brainchild of Sanjeev, the choir entered the competition because he felt that they had lots of potential to compete on an international level. Meneka De Fonseka, an old girl graciously accepted the invitation to be the accompanist for the choir in Malaysia.
Unfortunately, according to Vajira, the authorities weren’t so accommodating when it came to making arrangements. “It seems that sports are the only thing that gets recognition. Why aren’t they encouraging musicians? The staff of the Sri Lankan High Commission in Malaysia was a great strength to us and we want to thank them for being so helpful,” she smiled before adding “being a premier government school, they’re more focused on studies, but we practiced for two hours every week and now we have seen the results”.
When asked what was in store for the Visakha choir, she stated, “This is not the end, it’s just the beginning.”
The choirs were required to perform four songs and Visakha performed the songs Viva la Vida by Coldplay, Music Spread Thy Voice by Handel and acapella versions of Ganga Addara and If Ever I Would Leave You from Camelot, managing to clinch a Gold Diploma, only narrowly losing out to a Malaysian Choir in the category.
When asked what it was like working with the choir, Sanjeev replied cheekily, “Horrible” which elicited many groans and cries of protest. It is easy to see the rapport between him and the students as they joke about everything from costumes to members of other choirs.
On a more serious note he elaborated, “It was tough for the simple reason that I’ve been working with them since August. We have definitely come a long way. We have improved in leaps and bounds but we still have a long way to go. They’re a good bunch of kids. Apart from the occasional moments of frustration and annoyance, they are a joy to work with.”
The choir got rave reviews while in Malaysia. “When Johnathan Velasco, a famous choral director from the Philippines saw that they were about to tackle If Ever I Would Leave You in acapella, he was initially worried. Then when he heard the first few bars, he thought ‘wow’”.
I posed the same question to Sanjeev with regard to the future of the choir and a look of determination crossed his face. “Each choir has a different character. We have really good tone. Now that we have done this, we can’t relax, we must keep working. I want to work on volume with them and also improve on our repertoire”.
The girls themselves are a lively bunch and apart from a few thoughtful silences, filled the air with chatter and laughter. When asked how people were reacting to their win, most of them said that friends and parents were amazed. “It was a really big deal” they laughed.
“We realised just how big this was, when we got out of the dressing room.” They said with regard to their pre-show nerves.
Competing in an international arena is no mean feat and these girls have taken it in their stride. There is evident pride but no arrogance and they are quick to praise the other choirs as often as point out the weaknesses in themselves. Considering that they were up against a few full-time music schools, when all they could practice was once a week, it says a lot about their dedication but most of all their sheer talent.
“We learnt time management and discipline and from the other choirs, we learned how to be free on stage and also a few moves” they said, demonstrating a few complicated manoeuvres. “We got to know each other really well. We bonded”, they smiled before Sanjeev asked them if actual glue was used in the process, causing another outbreak of groans and laughter.
As they broke out into an energetic Viva la Vida and ended with an impressive performance of If Ever I Would Leave You that left me covered in goose bumps, it is easy to see how far this choir has come. They are indeed worthy winners and are worthy of recognition for bringing glory to Sri Lanka. We can’t wait to see what comes next.
75th Anniversary Celebrations of the Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girls’ Association
The Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girls’ Association celebrated its 75th anniversary with a gala get together of its members at High Tea on Saturday, 21st November 2009 at the Galle Face Hotel.
The highlight of the evening was the recognition and felicitation of past Visakhians who since leaving school have brought honour to the Country and to the School.
Since the numbers of Visakhians who have excelled in the national arena are legion as is well known, the VVOGA had thought it timely that on this 75th anniversary of the Association, the bar should be raised higher (so to say) and acknowledgement be made of those who have earned awards/acclaim in the international arena by the presentation of Platinum Awards.
Nominations for these were received from the public from diverse fields such as Law, Architecture, Medicine & Health, Literature, Engineering, Science & Technology, Sports, Industry & Entrepreneurship, Community Service, Education, Performing Arts & an Open category. Ten winners were selected solely by a panel of eminent judges who described the winners as being the “Best among Equals”.
The winners of the Platinum Awards were
Mrs Upeka Chitrasena de Silva- Performing Arts
Dr Binodh de Silva – Science & Technology
Mrs Nela De Zoysa – Architecture
Mrs Shirani Damindra Dias – Industry & Entrepreneurship
Dr Shanika Karunasekera – Engineering
Dr Kamini Mendis – Medicine & Health
Professor Ira Thabrew - Education
Mrs Anoja Wijeyesekera – Community Service
Mrs Kishani Jayasinghe Wijeysekera - Performing Arts
Dr Anula Wijesundere – Medicine & Health
The awards were rounded off by a Life Time Achievement Award initiated & presented by the VVOGA in recognition of a past Visakhian who has won acclaim for achievements spanning almost a life time bringing honour to her Alma Mater. The proud winner of this Life Time Achievement award was the famous Film Director & Cinematographer - Mrs Sumithra Peries.
The awards took the form of a glittering ceremony preceded by the screening of a documentary of the Old Girls’ Association.
The evening was rounded off by singing & dancing by a capacity crowd both young and old who seemed bent on enjoying the camaraderie of being fellow Visakhians.
Excerpt from the Daily Mirror, 30 September, 2009
