Easter programme - Never Thirst Again

‘Never Thirst Again’, an Easter programme will happen on the 28th of March at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour at 6.30pm. Entrance by programme priced at Rs 500 will be available at Park Street Mews and Commons Cafe. All proceeds are in aid of supplying pillows to the patients at the Apeksha (cancer) hospital Maharagama.

Q: Tell us a little bit about this concert. 

Father Perry– “This is short musical narration which tells the story of from Anna's perspective of Jesus’s entrance to Jerusalem, on the cross and resurrection. And it's for a good cause as all the funds will be used to help the patients at the cancer hospital.  

Q: 3 months ago you had a programme called ‘Darkness into Light’ and part of the funding was for the cancer hospital. What was done with it? 

Aunty May (as she is fondly known) – “We donated 3 patient trolleys to ward 3, 4 and 19 of the Apeksha (cancer) Hospital Maharagama, as they were much in need of this..

Q: All the proceeds of this programme will be for the cancer hospital. Why? 

Jean Samuel - Statistics indicate that cancer in Sri Lanka is steadily on the rise. The incidence rate has doubled since the 1980s according to the data compiled by the National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) so the need at the Cancer Hospital in Maharagama is enormous. The hospital is overcrowded and majority of the patients are poor and come remote parts of Sri Lanka. There is an acute shortage of medicines at the hospital for both adults and children. Patients need nutrition, clothes and linen. Our choir has already contributed to the Cancer Hospital Maharagama after our last performance and we hope we can do the same this time as well and help in a small way to make a difference.

Q: 3 months ago, ‘Darkness into Light’ and now this, isn't it too soon and how does the choir cope with learning new music ? 

Michelle Senanayake – “The choir has come a long way. We have a very dedicated group of people in the choir lead by person with tremendous patience and understanding, this combined with the fact that we do it with the sole aim of worshipping God makes everything possible.” 

Q: What is your favourite song in the programme? 

Shalini Fernando – “ Tough question....all of it is beautiful...hard to choose.”
Would have to say- "Hallelujah Christ is Risen"
"Gethsemane Hymn"
"There is a Fountain"
"Peace be with You"

Q: What can we expect from this programme? 

Gita Perera – “I think it will inspire people and will make the meaning of Easter more meaningful while serving a larger purpose with the proceeds being channeled toward a good cause.” 

Q: What has it been like directing the programme? Is there anything different we can look forward to? 

Ishan de Lanerolle – “The music for this program is quite challenging for several reasons. For one thing, the program is a musical journey from MaundyThursday to Easter Dawn, and the mood and tempo of each item is very different. The accompaniment too is similarly varied, and the voices need to get their entries with minimum help from the music. So as a director I find it takes a lot more focus and concentration on my part to conduct the choir. There is a clear Hebrew influence in the program which feeds into the music as well. It is very different from our previous presentation for Advent, but I think the audience will enjoy it. I know I have come to love the unusual harmonies and nuances in the structure of Never Thirst Again. The program carries the core message of the Good News: that Jesus gave his life on the cross for undeserving sinners like you and I, and rose again on the third day to win redemption for us.”