Soul Sounds, Sri Lanka’s premiere female vocal ensemble, is celebrating a momentous milestone this year. Marking 20 years of musical brilliance, the choir is set to represent Sri Lanka at the prestigious World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand. Competing in both the Gospel and Folklore categories, the ensemble promises to showcase their exceptional talent and bring pride to their homeland.

Directed and conducted by the illustrious Soundarie David Rodrigo, Soul Sounds will be accompanied by Christopher Prins on drums for the Gospel category and Ravi Bandu Vidyapathy for the Folklore category. “This year, we wanted to compete to give the newer members of Soul Sounds a truly international, unique experience,” said Soundarie David Rodrigo, highlighting the ensemble’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a sense of community through music.

Over the past two decades, Soul Sounds has captivated audiences worldwide, touring extensively across Australia, France, Kuwait, China, India, Malaysia, South Africa, the UK, Austria, and the USA. In Sri Lanka, they have performed at numerous special events, including singing for H.R.H Princess Anne during her visit to the island, and the recent performance of the National Anthem at the opening ceremony of the Lanka Premier League. Their reputation has made them a favoured choice for diplomatic events, further cementing their status as cultural ambassadors.

“For the girls, singing is a passion. While preparing for the World Choir Games has been challenging, especially in terms of collecting funds and rigorous rehearsals, it is an escape into the world of music, friendship, fun, and laughter,” stated Soundarie, speaking to the Daily Mirror. She further emphasized the choir’s dedication and the joy they derive from their craft.

As they prepare for the world’s largest choral event, organized by INTERKULTUR, Soul Sounds extends their gratitude to their primary sponsor, Cargills, along with Fonterra, Devi Jewellers, and HNB, their banking partner. The choir is also thankful for the support from the New Zealand High Commission in Sri Lanka and all those who contributed, making their participation possible.

In addition to their milestone celebration, the newly formed Soul Sounds Academy Children’s Choir is set to represent Sri Lanka at the 13th Bali International Choral Festival in Indonesia. Selected from over 400 students through rigorous auditions, 40 young voices will compete in both the Children’s Choir and Teenage Choir categories. Furthermore, 24 of these young talents will also participate in the Solo category, aiming to bring more gold medals to Sri Lanka.

Conducted by the promising young singer Shenuk Wijesinghe, who also serves as a vocal coach at the academy, and Shivanthi Subramaniam, the head of the Vocal Department, the Soul Sounds Academy Children’s Choir is poised for an unforgettable experience. “More than anything, these young children and young adults will get a chance to represent their country and be part of something unique, giving them a chance to shine on an international stage,” stated Shenuk Wijesinghe.

With both groups now in intense rehearsals, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. Soul Sounds and the Soul Sounds Academy Children’s Choir are ready to embark on this incredible journey, bringing their harmonious melodies and Sri Lankan spirit to the world stage.