The season of Christmas carols

Next couple of weeks will see performances by various choral groups in the city

Avinash Grubb

A wide selection of songs The Malayalam Pastorate Choir of The East Parade Church will hold their annual Christmas concert on December 8 at 6 pm. The choir will render a selection of songs in western classical, traditional hymnal, and contemporary

Coming together in harmony The Harmony Chorus directed by Sandra Oberoi is presenting a Christmas Concert on December 15 from 11 am to 12 noon at SAIACS Auditorium in Kothanur. The choir will present some of their original Christmas music and render

Choral groups across the city are preparing to render the best of traditional and contemporary Christmas carols. While some perform popular numbers, others sing original compositions or special arrangements of popular tunes. Metrolife picks out a few for you.

An organ recital
An evening of organ and choral music will be held at St Mark’s Cathedral on December 9 at 6.30 pm. The focus of the evening is on Johann Sebastian Bach. The performance will include words of Marko Hakanpaa from Finland and Andre Knevel from Canada.

The organ pieces will be interspersed with the St Mark’s Choir and soloists rendering a selection of choral music and solos for the occasion. However, the highlight will be ‘The Holy City’ by Weatherly and Stephen Adams and Handel’s timeless ‘Hallelujah Chorus’.

The choir will be accompanied by Avinash Grubb on the organ. This organ recital is being held in fond memory of Prof David Sebastian, organist at St Mark’s Cathedral for 43 years till he passed away in 2004. The pipe organ holds special significance. It was installed in 1928 was constructed in English Style by Hill Norman and Beard and gifted to the church by the Colin Cowdrey family. It was restored a decade ago with a new digital interface.

For a dose of entertainment
The Cecilian Choir’s concert called ‘That’s Entertainment’ will be held on December 8 and 9 at St Joseph’s Auditorium, Langford Road. There will be two shows: at 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm. The concert will feature a collection of chartbusters and old favourites in the form of rock n roll, pop ballads and anthems.

The singers will be accompanied by Priya Sequeira on the piano, Dr Maya Mascarenhas on the keyboard, Eric Samuel on lead and rhythm guitar, Santhosh Victor on the drums, Niranjan Joseph on bass guitar and flute and Arun D’Silva on violin. The proceeds will go towards Jeevarathani Foundation, a children’s foundation.

Coming together in harmony
The Harmony Chorus directed by Sandra Oberoi is presenting a Christmas Concert on December 15 from 11 am to 12 noon at SAIACS Auditorium in Kothanur. The choir will present some of their original Christmas music and render other hits as well. They are sharing the stage with Grace Children’s Home Choir, a group of young orphaned, semi-orphaned, abandoned girls that students from the Harmony team have been training.

A wide selection of songs
The Malayalam Pastorate Choir of The East Parade Church will hold their annual Christmas concert on December 8 at 6 pm. The choir will render a selection of songs in western classical, traditional hymnal, and contemporary styles.

The Christmas Carol service will open with the Taize chant, Laudate Dominum and move on to ‘Listen To The Angels Sing’ by Don Besig and Nancy Besig, ‘Mary Did You Know’ arranged by Joseph Martin and Davin Angerman, ‘Immanuel’ by Michael Card, ‘Adore’by Graham Kendrick, ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ by GF Handel, and ‘Midnight Cry’, arranged by Tom Fettke.