Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Soul Sounds Academy Concert Series

Young Voices in Harmony

- BY SIROHMI GUNESEKERA

“We decided to introduce the “Soul Sounds” Academy Concert Series online since we cannot have live concerts for a long time to come. Of course, it is not the same as a live concert and please excuse any shortcomin­gs since it is the first time that we are using this technology.

You can respond with comments after the show” said

Soundarie David Rodrigo, director of “Soul Sounds” speaking online as she introduced the Concert Series held on Friday, 22nd May 2020 at eight in the evening. The live concert was conducted on Zoom with many parents and spectators from around the world joining in to cheer the young performers.

Taalya Ramanayake was the host and she introduced each young performer.

The first singers were Danella with the guitar and Davina De Cruz who sang a mash up of “I Saw the Light” and “Whole New World”. The sisters harmonised well and were a pleasure to listen to.

Next came Dinara Ellapola who sang “You’re the Reason that I’m still breathing”.

The brothers Anupa and

Manula Vitharana combined their different voices to sing “Edelweiss” from the film “Sound of Music.” They too sang in harmony.

Next came Anoush with her guitar and her sister Kavini

Ralapanawe who were obviously happy as they sang together “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran.

The next performer was Navik Weerawarda­na who looked cute in a black shirt as his strong voice sang “What a Wonderful World”. He thanked Shehan from England who accompanie­d him on the piano.

Shanelle Rajaratnam who was the youngest performer came next and she used her hands expressive­ly as she sang “Let it go” from the movie Frozen. The viewing spectators responded with positive comments encouragin­g her.

Shavini and her sister Sharuni Weerasingh­e sang “Shallow” which was voted the best original song and was featured in the film “A Star is Born”.

Next came the sisters Janethree and Nethree Gunasena who sang “I Believe” in harmony.

The last two singers were Akasha and Gagana Abeyrathne who sang together the Queen hit song “Another One Bites the Dust” with a lot of moves and action.

Soundarie ended the Concert Series by saying that the next Concert will be on the following Friday and that they plan to continue each week. The children enjoyed themselves very much and it was heartening to see the encouragem­ent via the comments from the spectators.

Due to the worldwide situation perhaps online concerts will be the only way of entertainm­ent.

“We decided to introduce the “Soul Sounds” Academy Concert Series online since we cannot have live concerts for a long time to come" Soundarie ended the Concert Series by saying that the next Concert will be on the following Friday and that they plan to continue each week

 ??  ?? Shenelle Rajaratnam
Anupa and Manula
Navik
Shenelle Rajaratnam Anupa and Manula Navik
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Danella and Davina
Danella and Davina
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Akasha and Gagana
Akasha and Gagana

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