<p>Toccata Musical Productions UK presents ‘Gimme Some Lovin’ on August 16. </p>.<p>Sixteen award-winning artistes from the UK, who is a part of Toccata, will be performing pop, rock and country music. The line-up for the concert includes songs by Queen, Led Zeppelin, Elton John and Aretha Franklin.</p>.<p>Metrolife got in touch with two of the artistes — Mark Tilley and Nicola Cunnigham —performing at the event. Here is what they have to say about their music and performing in Bengaluru. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>About your association with Toccata.</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark Tilley:</strong> I have been associated with the group for the past two years, first as a soloist and more recently as a chorus master and assistant conductor. Toccata is about reaching out to people with good music. It has been a fulfilling ride for me personally.</p>.<p><strong>Nicola Cunnigham:</strong> I have been with Toccata for five years now, and it has enriched my life with new friends from different countries, learning from cultural exchanges and sharing music. </p>.<p>Performing with the Indian choirs, Kenyan Boys Choir and Frank Koine has been great musical learning. I have travelled on tour to India on three occasions, and the highlight of every concert tour is the joy we bring on the faces of people.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>A bit about your musical style.</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark:</strong> I started out as a classical musician, singing in operas and oratorios, but have recently moved into involvement with musical theatre and popular music concerts. I’ve been a singer for about ten years and a conductor for about three. </p>.<p><strong>Nicola:</strong> As a member of a Choral Society in Belfast for over 20 years, I enjoy singing songs from the musical theatre genre. I also enjoy Gospel music, which is both uplifting and joyful.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>What are you performing at the event?</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark:</strong> I have a few solos in bits of songs, and my favourite is probably ‘Stairway to Heaven’ or ‘Go the Distance’. </p>.<p><strong>Nicola:</strong> On this tour, I will be performing as part of the 16-member Toccata ensemble. I will also be performing ‘The Prayer’ as a duet with Dr Sunil Paulraj, the man behind Toccata.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Have you performed in Bengaluru before?</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark:</strong> No, this will be my first one. Having heard how much Bengaluru loves us, I am looking forward to it.</p>.<p><strong>Nicola:</strong> Yes, I have performed twice before in the city. Bengaluru loves music, and we love performing to them; the love we receive here keeps us coming back for more.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Are you familiar with Indian music?</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark:</strong> I don’t have much familiarity with Indian music or the different genres, but I find it fascinating to listen to the differences with more western styles; it’s something I am going to get to learn more about. The limit of my experience so far is probably the more popular Bollywood hits, and what I love about those is the choreography that goes along with it.</p>.<p><strong>Nicola:</strong> I am not familiar with the wide spectrum of Indian music, however, I have enjoyed western music influenced by Indian genres, like music by ‘The Beatles’ and ‘The Pussycat Dolls’.</p>.<p>We have sung Bollywood songs and even the Kannada song ‘No Problem’. I like Bollywood music for its mix of pop, rock and hip-hop. This year the repertoire includes a Bollywood number too.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Who are the Indian artistes you would like to collaborate with?</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark:</strong> Heard some of the magical music Toccata has created collaborating with musicians from Africa, India, Sri Lanka and other South-East Asian countries. I am looking forward to such musical learning experiences.</p>.<p><strong>Nicola:</strong> Toccata identifies great Indian partners to complement our style of singing. Toccata has also recorded music for the music sensation Illayaraja; we recorded a<br />jingle for him in India and also did a few in London for his movies. Collaborating with the Indian film industry is definitely an exciting thought.<br /> </p>.<p><span><strong>Event details</strong></span></p>.<p>Toccata performs on August 16 at 7 pm at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Malleswaram.</p>.<p>It is an initiative by Dr Sunil Paulraj and Kavitha Prasad. Through the programme, they aim to raise funds for the Rotary Bangalore Vidyalaya School, a school for the underprivileged run by Rotary Club Bangalore.</p>.<p>The ticket prices start at Rs 500. For booking, contact 98452 02190 or visit BookMyShow.</p>
<p>Toccata Musical Productions UK presents ‘Gimme Some Lovin’ on August 16. </p>.<p>Sixteen award-winning artistes from the UK, who is a part of Toccata, will be performing pop, rock and country music. The line-up for the concert includes songs by Queen, Led Zeppelin, Elton John and Aretha Franklin.</p>.<p>Metrolife got in touch with two of the artistes — Mark Tilley and Nicola Cunnigham —performing at the event. Here is what they have to say about their music and performing in Bengaluru. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>About your association with Toccata.</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark Tilley:</strong> I have been associated with the group for the past two years, first as a soloist and more recently as a chorus master and assistant conductor. Toccata is about reaching out to people with good music. It has been a fulfilling ride for me personally.</p>.<p><strong>Nicola Cunnigham:</strong> I have been with Toccata for five years now, and it has enriched my life with new friends from different countries, learning from cultural exchanges and sharing music. </p>.<p>Performing with the Indian choirs, Kenyan Boys Choir and Frank Koine has been great musical learning. I have travelled on tour to India on three occasions, and the highlight of every concert tour is the joy we bring on the faces of people.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>A bit about your musical style.</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark:</strong> I started out as a classical musician, singing in operas and oratorios, but have recently moved into involvement with musical theatre and popular music concerts. I’ve been a singer for about ten years and a conductor for about three. </p>.<p><strong>Nicola:</strong> As a member of a Choral Society in Belfast for over 20 years, I enjoy singing songs from the musical theatre genre. I also enjoy Gospel music, which is both uplifting and joyful.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>What are you performing at the event?</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark:</strong> I have a few solos in bits of songs, and my favourite is probably ‘Stairway to Heaven’ or ‘Go the Distance’. </p>.<p><strong>Nicola:</strong> On this tour, I will be performing as part of the 16-member Toccata ensemble. I will also be performing ‘The Prayer’ as a duet with Dr Sunil Paulraj, the man behind Toccata.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Have you performed in Bengaluru before?</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark:</strong> No, this will be my first one. Having heard how much Bengaluru loves us, I am looking forward to it.</p>.<p><strong>Nicola:</strong> Yes, I have performed twice before in the city. Bengaluru loves music, and we love performing to them; the love we receive here keeps us coming back for more.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Are you familiar with Indian music?</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark:</strong> I don’t have much familiarity with Indian music or the different genres, but I find it fascinating to listen to the differences with more western styles; it’s something I am going to get to learn more about. The limit of my experience so far is probably the more popular Bollywood hits, and what I love about those is the choreography that goes along with it.</p>.<p><strong>Nicola:</strong> I am not familiar with the wide spectrum of Indian music, however, I have enjoyed western music influenced by Indian genres, like music by ‘The Beatles’ and ‘The Pussycat Dolls’.</p>.<p>We have sung Bollywood songs and even the Kannada song ‘No Problem’. I like Bollywood music for its mix of pop, rock and hip-hop. This year the repertoire includes a Bollywood number too.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Who are the Indian artistes you would like to collaborate with?</strong></p>.<p><strong>Mark:</strong> Heard some of the magical music Toccata has created collaborating with musicians from Africa, India, Sri Lanka and other South-East Asian countries. I am looking forward to such musical learning experiences.</p>.<p><strong>Nicola:</strong> Toccata identifies great Indian partners to complement our style of singing. Toccata has also recorded music for the music sensation Illayaraja; we recorded a<br />jingle for him in India and also did a few in London for his movies. Collaborating with the Indian film industry is definitely an exciting thought.<br /> </p>.<p><span><strong>Event details</strong></span></p>.<p>Toccata performs on August 16 at 7 pm at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Malleswaram.</p>.<p>It is an initiative by Dr Sunil Paulraj and Kavitha Prasad. Through the programme, they aim to raise funds for the Rotary Bangalore Vidyalaya School, a school for the underprivileged run by Rotary Club Bangalore.</p>.<p>The ticket prices start at Rs 500. For booking, contact 98452 02190 or visit BookMyShow.</p>
