Seasonal favourites

In these heady days of computerised sounds, synths, drum machines, samplers etc, it makes something of a refreshing change to sit and enjoy choral singing that does not rely on these computerised sounds. It was on two different evenings that the choirs Choral Spectrum and Metho Cantanti displayed their unusual talents and made the carols of Christmas come alive. 

True the ever popular carols and songs are always familiar yet when the season comes around the carols and songs rightfully hold top of the hit list. At the Hilton Colombo Choral Spectrum directed by Hasinee Andree concentrated more on the classical arrangements what with violin, cello, guitar and piano accompaniment. 

With her classical music background, daughter of Bridget Halpe, Hasinee steered the whole choir in delightful traditional harmony with solos by both female and male singers. Commencing their performance with Ding Dong Merrily on High, Choral Spectrum moved through a well selected programme of carols and songs with an interesting arrangement for Hark the Herald Angels Sing. With audience participation Hasinee Andra brought the choir’s interesting performance to a close with Silent Night, Holy Night.

At the Lattice, Taj Samudra, Metho Cantanti with Monique  Abeyratne at the helm proved that even though they have earned a name for themselves singing Broadway and Pop music they are equally well known for their Sacred music as well. 

So Christmas carols and songs didn’t cause much of a problem for them. We understand from Monique after the show that the choir members are all old girls of Methodist College who have been drawn together by the love for their alma mater and their love for singing. Starting off their performance with “It’s beginning to look like Christmas”, Monique took them through with more of the popular songs of Christmas which included Winter Wonderland, Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, Buon Natale, White Christmas and a solo in O Holy Night. 

With the children in mind, who were present that evening, the choir went into Rudolph, Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and for the benefit of the audience participation there was Joy To The World, The First Noel and O Come All Ye Faithful. Mention must be made of Monique’s solo interpretation of Santa Baby.