Songs of the season

The City is in the Christmas mode. Independent groups, church choirs and bands are practising hard to put up an impressive show during this season.

The next couple of days will see choral renditions across venues in the city. Each of these groups will present a repertoire of songs that will in some way tell the story of Christmas and ring in the spirit of the season.

'Metrolife' interacted with a few groups in the City to see what they have in store for Christmas. The 'Fernandes Fusion', a multi-genre band from Goa, are known for their lively performances. Led by Ozie Fernandes, the band comprises the members of the Fernandes family.

Reuben Ambat, events coordinator for the band says, "We will be performing popular Christmas carols and songs that remind one of the spirit of Christmas. This season is all about spreading love, getting together with family and friends and bringing a smile on the faces of the less fortunate, all this will reflect in the songs that we will be performing."

The band will render popular Christmas carols such as 'Jingle Bells', 'Mary's Boy Child', 'White Christmas' and 'Feliz Navidad'. The other popular songs that will be rendered are 'Last Christmas', 'Shape of You', 'Despacito', 'Cheap Thrills' and 'Hymn for the Weekend'. 'Fernandes Fusion' will perform on December 17, 7 pm at Toit.

The 'East Parade Malayalam Church Choir' is known for its flawless rendition of Western classical pieces and Christmas carols. The 50-odd members of the choir have put together a Christmas concert on December 9, 6 pm at East Parade Church, MG Road. Jackson Geo Cherian, choir secretary, says "The theme this year is 'The Glorious Impossible' and we will be performing compositions by Handel, Bach, Pepper Choplin and Brian Lewis, in addition to Malayalam songs," says Jackson.

The members of the junior choir will render 'Christmas Canon Rock', popularised by the 'Trans-Siberian Orchestra'.

'The Bangalore Men' has chosen songs that fall under the theme of tradition and fun. "We are presenting a mix of the essential classics like 'Jingle Bells', 'O Holy Night' and 'Deck the Halls'. We will also have jazzier pieces like 'Let it Snow' and 'White Christmas'. This year we are very excited to also work with accomplished vocalist Bhumika Anantharaman who would be singing with the choir," says Olsson Jonas, conductor of the choir.

He says that the choir began practising at the end of October. "We start our rehearsals for the Christmas concerts pretty early. But the real spirit comes in December. When the cold sets in during the evenings, we warm ourselves after rehearsals with some mulled wine or saffron-spiced coffee together with some Swedish ginger cookies and saffron buns. Then Christmas is here," explains Olsson. The choir will perform on December 15, 7 pm, UB City and on December 17, between 6 pm and 8 pm, at BIAL.

The St Mark's Cathedral will hold their Christmas carols on December 17, 6 pm. The choir, comprising all age groups, will be presenting a mix of songs in exciting formats.

Anjana Samuel, convener, programmes committee, says, "We will be performing simple hymn-based songs like 'Have you heard the story' to classics like Judas Maccabaeus' 'Victory Mass' from George F Handel. We will also be singing 'Dona Nobis Pacem' by Mozart. We have also included simple pieces like 'Little David, Play on Your Harp' and 'Glory Hallelujah'"