<p>The music concert held at St John’s Amphitheatre titled ‘Freedom Chorale Festival 2011’ was an attempt to bring together all the chorale groups in the City on a common platform. <br /><br />The audience witnessed a remarkable mix of songs of all genres. What added an extra touch to the occasion was that it was held on Independence Day. Many in the audience vouched that it was a day well spent. <br /><br />This is the first time a competition was conducted for music schools. This also marked the launch of Federation of Music Schools in India. Commenting about the initiative, Ashley Williams, director of The William Joseph Music Foundation, said, “I believe that music is for everybody. But unfortunately in our country, the different music schools do not see eye to eye. Hence, this federation and such competitions aim to bring everyone on one stage.”<br /><br />He added, “The highlight of this competition is that the students have to come forward as a group and not as individuals. Our main motive is to encourage chorale singing, which as an art form is just disappearing.”<br /><br />The competition saw participation from five music schools in the City. The students of Harmony Music School sang two English songs in a three part harmony which was a befitting start. The choir group of De Sales Music Academy sang two songs in a lovely harmony. The mood in the auditorium seemed to go up a notch higher, when they started their next song, ‘I will follow him’ by Sister Act. The soulful harmony of the different voices was beautifully brought out in this song.<br /><br />Another music school Nikhila Institute of Music and Dance used freedom as its theme. This group presented two songs one of which was written by the famous composer Cliff Richard. Western vocal music was predominant in most of these songs. <br /><br />However, Ale School of Arts and Fine Arts broke the mould by presenting two Indian based group vocals. Jehovah Shalom School of Music presented two english songs. One of them included their own rendition of ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’ in four part harmony.<br /><br />The programme came to an end when all the music schools present in the auditorium came on stage to sing ‘Abide With Me’, which is one of the favourite hymns of Mahatma Gandhi. <br /></p>
<p>The music concert held at St John’s Amphitheatre titled ‘Freedom Chorale Festival 2011’ was an attempt to bring together all the chorale groups in the City on a common platform. <br /><br />The audience witnessed a remarkable mix of songs of all genres. What added an extra touch to the occasion was that it was held on Independence Day. Many in the audience vouched that it was a day well spent. <br /><br />This is the first time a competition was conducted for music schools. This also marked the launch of Federation of Music Schools in India. Commenting about the initiative, Ashley Williams, director of The William Joseph Music Foundation, said, “I believe that music is for everybody. But unfortunately in our country, the different music schools do not see eye to eye. Hence, this federation and such competitions aim to bring everyone on one stage.”<br /><br />He added, “The highlight of this competition is that the students have to come forward as a group and not as individuals. Our main motive is to encourage chorale singing, which as an art form is just disappearing.”<br /><br />The competition saw participation from five music schools in the City. The students of Harmony Music School sang two English songs in a three part harmony which was a befitting start. The choir group of De Sales Music Academy sang two songs in a lovely harmony. The mood in the auditorium seemed to go up a notch higher, when they started their next song, ‘I will follow him’ by Sister Act. The soulful harmony of the different voices was beautifully brought out in this song.<br /><br />Another music school Nikhila Institute of Music and Dance used freedom as its theme. This group presented two songs one of which was written by the famous composer Cliff Richard. Western vocal music was predominant in most of these songs. <br /><br />However, Ale School of Arts and Fine Arts broke the mould by presenting two Indian based group vocals. Jehovah Shalom School of Music presented two english songs. One of them included their own rendition of ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’ in four part harmony.<br /><br />The programme came to an end when all the music schools present in the auditorium came on stage to sing ‘Abide With Me’, which is one of the favourite hymns of Mahatma Gandhi. <br /></p>
