Soul Sounds: Let’s start at the very beginning when some schoolgirls wanted to sing for life
Celebrating two successful decades, Sri Lanka’s premier female choral vocal ensemble, the Soul Sounds held a press conference on November 28 at the Courtyard, Cinnamon Grand Colombo.
Director and founder of Soul Sounds, Soundarie David Rodrigo, choir leaders Kumarini Rajakaruna, Roshnie De Bond and Dona Ruwini, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing of Standard Chartered Anouk De Silva, Nishu Gunawardene representing Cinnamon Grand and co- ordinator of their forthcoming show “Moods of Christmas” Yasmin Cader addressed the press launch.
Soundarie Rodrigo reminisced on her fruitful journey stopping at each milestone to appreciate the individuals who supported her and the ensemble since its inception.
She spoke of her own journey where she mentored the Senior Choir of her alma mater, Holy Family Convent in 1997. “The girls were very hard-working and committed, and at one point I thought that they were good enough to enter an international competition.”
It was way back in 2004, that they emerged first runners-up in the Youth Choir category at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales. “This was how Soul Sounds was born because girls who were a part of the school wanted to sing for life.”
They went on to take part in the fourth World Choir Games in Xiamen, China winning two silver medals, and in 2008 they won three gold medals at the fifth Games in Graz, Austria marking another significant success along their journey.
Such achievements led them to tour many countries across the globe, performing in India, China, Australia, Kuwait, Austria, France, the United States, Malaysia and South Africa.
Their annual Christmas show “Moods of Christmas” will take place on December 22 at the Cinnamon Grand. “What is special is that the hotel has been our home for Christmas for over 20 consecutive years,” says Soundarie.
What does 2024 hold for Soul Sounds? “Special concerts and competing in the World Choir Games are on the calendar of Soul Sounds for 2024,” Soundarie reveals.