A Festival of Choirs

The Festival of Chiors will take place on Saturday the 24th of June at 6.30pm. At present, there are just a few more invitations available at the Commons Coffee House and the Cathedral office.As communicated earlier, everyone is welcome, as entrance is free

The Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour will present  'A Festival of Choirs.' The Festival will feature- 

• Asteria Female Voice Choir
• Bishop’s College PPA Choir
• Choro Benedicte
• Ladies’ College OGA Choir
• Menaka Singers
• Metho Cantanti
• Noted
• Sangeet
• The Lylie Godridge Singers
• The Old Joes’ Choir
• The Peterite Chorale 
• The Revelations

It will be the first time after quite awhile that choirs of this nature will participate in one venue and will be a treat for choral music lovers.
We met with the team behind the organizing of this event which will take place on Saturday the 24th of June at 6.30pm. 
Ishan de Lanerolle, the Conductor  and Leader of the Cathedral choir said they are very happy to welcome this unprecedented congregation who have already obtained more than 1800 invitations for the event.  He said the doors will open for the event between 5.15 and 5.30 pm on the day. 
He also requested the congregation to help the ground staff and the officials, by following their instructions and parking vehicles on the premises, according to the system in place for the event.

“It has been a great experience to work with the choirs and I thank them all for readily agreeing to be part of this celebratory event”, Ishan said.
At present, there are just a few more invitations available at the Commons Coffee House and the Cathedral office. 
As communicated earlier, everyone is welcome, as entrance is free. Invitations have been printed simply to get an idea of the number expected, so as to help with  logistics. 
Speaking further, Ishan,  who has been directing the Cathedral choir since 2012,  said they  will lead the congregation in the singing of the offertory hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’’. The congregation will sit around the alter and large TV screens will provide visibility for those who may not be able to get seats in the main body of the Cathedral. 
Ven. Perry Brohier Archdeacon and Vicar of the Cathedral said The Old Cathedral was at Mutuwal and the foundation stone was laid for the new Cathedral at the present location, Bauddhaloka Mawatha next to the BMICH, in 1968 and the work was completed 
in 1973. 

‘We are a worshipping community within the Anglican tradition (Church of Ceylon) and we welcome people of all traditions to join us in worship' said Ven. Brohier, adding  that they have so far had many programmes presented by the Committee tasked with the responsibility of making preparations for the year of their  Jubilee.  "Beginning with a service of remembrance where we remembered all those who pioneered and lead the work of the worshipping community from its inception, to a cycle parade that signified the transition or moving from the Old Cathedral to the New Cathedral, a public lecture and  many musical evenings were held."  Preparations have also been made for a community engagement event that will be a free medical clinic and a blood donation campaign and a programme for the youth. More details could be obtained in the following link https://www.cathedral.lk/50th-anniversary
Ramola Sivasundaram who is part of the Anniversary Committee, of the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour has said  that several events and programmes have been planned for the Jubilee year. "We commenced with the programme 'Journey of Promises' in November last year, followed by a Carol Service in December. This year, we presented 'The New Jerusalem' with the De Lanerolle Brothers and the Choir Octave with Neranjan de Silva.   Another evening of music was 'Never Thirst Again'. We are next presenting a Festival of Choirs featuring 12 well known choirs on the 24th of June. Our last programme will be “Experiencing God” where several school choirs will take part along with the Cathedral choir.   The finale of the Anniversary Celebrations will be a Thanksgiving Service in November, where we thank and praise God for the many blessings He has bestowed on the Cathedral and the worshipping community."