Festival of Choirs 2014; It’s the Circle of Life!
Festival of Choirs, organized by the Western Music Society of Royal College is one of the first of such choral events to bring together choirs from a number of leading schools and present an evening of music to the general populace.
Throughout the years, Festival of Choirs has acquired a reputation for excellence, combining the very best of Sri Lankan talent, bringing together a blend of exceptional music and leaving the audience yearning for more.
This year, Festival of Choirs took place on the 3rd of October at the Bishop’s College Auditorium, and it gave the audience a reason to sit at the edge of their seats, with great choral performances by Asian International School, Bishop’s College, Elizabeth Moir School, St. Joseph’s College, Ladies’ College, Musaeus College, Wesley College, and last but definitely not least, the amazing performance by The Royal College Choir, which put smiles on the faces of the entire audience.
The event started off with the Royal College Choir ceremoniously opening the show with the School of our Fathers, followed by the choirs of Ladies’ College and St. Joseph’s College. St. Joseph’s College, known for their notable classical performances, did an interesting rendition of Colplay’s “Viva La Vida“, which followed their medley of “The Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor and “Long Train Running” by The Doobie Brothers.
Asian International School managed to pull off a great performance of Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up“, followed by a crowd pleaser, in “Happy” by Pharell Williams, while Musaeus College performed “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins, which was followed by Elizabeth Moir school taking the stage.
The Royal College Choir took the stage right after Elizabeth Moir School, with a stunning performance of a medley of “Treasure” by Bruno Mars and “Love Never Felt So Good” by Michael Jackson, which was arranged by the Choir Directress Ms. Sureka Amarasinghe & Past Chorister & Deputy Head Prefect Sanchitha Wickremesooriya.
Performances by Bishop’s College and Wesley College were also appreciated as they performed their own renditions which came together beautifully, in what was an evening of the best choral talent.
However, the highlight of the evening was the stunning performance of the “Lion King” Medley, performed by the Royal College Choir, in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Lion King, through which the current generation of School Choristers have many a childhood memory. The audience was completely into the performance as they started clapping and singing along with the choir, which made the performance even more special. The medley included the songs “Can You Feel The Love“, “In The Jungle” and the base of the entire medley; “Circle of Life“, which brought the entire medley to a breathtaking close, as well as the audience to their feet for a standing ovation.
Following the breathtaking medley performed by Royal College, which gave the entire event and evening it’s true purpose, The Chairman of the Western Music Society, Asel Karunasinghe delivered the vote of thanks which was followed by the combined choir item which was prepared, with choristers from Royal College, Elizabeth Moir School, Wesley College, Musaeus College and Bishop’s College performing “My Love” by Stevie Wonder, which was followed by the same choristers singing the National Anthem, bringing to a close, an event which exposed the best choral talents.
A well executed event by the Western Music Society of Royal College, which set the platform for the Royal College Choir, among the other choirs, to sing their hearts out, which eventually added value to the event in its entirety.
Click here to watch the Lion King Medley Performance by The Royal College Choir.