Summer of Soul - The Soul Sounds Summer Programme 

This summer saw the introduction of the summer programme by the Soul Sounds Academy run by Soundarie David. The Soul Sounds choir, a female ensemble of singers, has been in existence for 11 years. Along with the help of one of the founder's Lilanka Boteju, Soundarie David was inspired to start the Soul Sounds academy in 2005. Initially the school started with a class of 8 students, but now has grown in strength with an impressive student body of 250 students, all in musical harmony. Their mission, is to inculcate in students a passion to perform. Its not just about learning an instrument, or learning to sing, it's the total musical experience.

The Summer Program was a project that Soundaire had wanted to put into fruition for many years. Taking into account her own experience at the Summer program attended in London as a student, she was encouraged to incorporate a program where music was instrumental in bringing groups of people together and were thus able to immerse themselves in all aspects of music, wholly. Therefore the classes and activities were designed for two groups of students, under 9, and 9 to 14's. The mantra that runs strong throughout the academy is to inculcate in students the “PASSION TO PERFORM”.

Therefore students were introduced to musical history, musical theatre, instruments, rhythm and moves, stage craft and acting, vocal fun, song writing and many more activities that were inspiring, thought provoking and fun. Students of the music camp were exposed to multitude of musical aspects.

A typical day at the camp starts with some exercise all done in a musical fashion and then the students would move onto some instrument learning, an introduction to the famous composers, do a field trip, this summer they were able to visit the Lionel Wendt and learn the functionings of a real theatre. This kids were also challenged themselves in the song writing sessions. It was indeed a wholesome exposure to all aspects of music and helped introduce the students to its beautiful world.

The summer program has been scheduled to be an yearly occurrence in the academy, with more advanced and specific classes so children can pick what interests they would like to follow. The classes are limited to a group of 20, therefore giving individual attention to the student. The Soul Sounds Academy as a whole, is quite instrumental in instilling the beauty of music in children from a young age. There are plans to have a professional children's choir, and many more classes to be introduced when the academy reopens again on the 28th of August, it has been said that when young children are consistently engaged by music in an age appropriate socially accepting environment, they benefit at many levels including social-emotional, physical, creative, quantitative and early literacy, and of course they develop a lifelong love for music. 

Soul Sounds Academy opens these door for our children, more information about the school can be found on the Soul Sounds Facebook page.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe