Choirmaster Gareth Malone at the top of the charts
A festive choral concert by the Choir of Jesus College, University of Cambridge
As the festive season draws near, music lovers in Colombo are assured of a special Christmas treat when the Choir of Jesus College, University of Cambridge presents ‘A FESTIVE CHORAL CONCERT ‘ on December 15, 2014 at the Ladies College Hall.
The Jesus College Cambridge Choir is distinctive in maintaining two choirs: the Chapel Choir, dating from the foundation of the college in 1496 and refounded and endowed in 1849, which is made up of boy choristers and adult male singers; and the College Choir, formed in 1982 following the admission of women undergraduates, which comprises female sopranos and altos. The adult male singers form the “back row” of both choirs.
Each ensemble has developed a distinctive reputation and repertoire while combining key events and large scale projects. In addition they regularly collaborate with professional orchestras and instrumental ensembles.
In addition to the main Concert in Colombo they will perform at the Light House Hotel Galle, at a service in the Chapel of the transfiguration, S. Thomas’ College Mt.Lavinia, Trinity College Chapel, Kandy and St. John the Baptist Church in Chundikuli, Jaffna and conduct vocal workshops for school children. The Jesus College Tour of Sri Lanka is sponsored by the Sunday Times, Daily Mirror and Daily FT.
Tickets priced at Rs.5,000/-, Rs.3,000/-, 2,000/- and 1,000/(reserved) and Rs.500/- (unreserved) will be on sale at ODEL Colombo 07,
December 1-15.
Choirmaster swept to the top of the UK singles chart with his All Star Choir’s rendition of ‘ Wake Me Up’. The Avicii cover outsold competition from Tom Odell and One Direction to take the No: 1 spot for the Children In Need charity. The song came out one week ago and was performed live on the BBC’s Children In Need, telethon on 14th November. The All Stars Choir comprised largely big names in the area of their respective professions who have never sung in public. The choir had actresses from Eastenders, a judge from Strictly Come Dancing, a comedian, a baking chef and children from various music projects from across the UK along with the footballer Fabrice Mumba. Gareth Malone 39 is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and populariser of choral music. ‘ Wake Me Up’ is his third UK No: 1 song following ‘ Wherever You Are’ in 2011 with the Military Wives Choir and with Gary Barlow’s Diamond Jubilee hit of 2012, ‘Sing’. T
‘Real Love’ made a jump from 21 to 7 this week on the back of the John Lewis Christmas TV advertisement for this year. The song is supported by a story of a Penguin who is rewarded by a gift of a mate on Christmas day. Last year too John Lewis TV advertisement, inspired by the story of the bear and the hare, helped ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ by Lily Allen to top the chart. Tom Odell is covering a track written by the late John Lennon which was later recorded by the surviving members of the Beatles in 1995 for the Anthology album. T he Australian twin sisters the Veronicas entered the UK chart at No: 8 with ‘ You Ruin Me’. The pop piano driven ballad is the highest song to debut on the singles chart this week. The song has already topped the chart on home ground and is now directed at the UK market. In 2007 Lisa and Jessica Origliasso – the Veronicas had a top 10 hit called ‘Untouched’ which peaked at the same No: 8 spot.
Twas made, but giving it a miss was Adele. Initially her name was high on the list of artists, but when she never turned up at the recording studio, Bob Geldof the man behind idea of Band Aid 30, revealed 30 telephone calls were made to Adele which went unanswered. He added though, she has a family to bring up. In the end she was not missed. The recording of the track and video took 36 hours to make. Reports indicate the new rendition of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ raised £1 million in the first five minutes of the video premiere. ne Direction got a rousing feedback from a live audience when they performed ‘Steal My Girl’ and ‘Night Changes’ on Children In Need telethon on 14th November. Their performance was on the set of the TV series Eastenders. Meanwhile the group will perform at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on 31st December.
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