Imagine a world at peace, and imagine this peace being inspired and brought about through the universal language of music… This is exactly what Soul Sounds hopes to do in collaboration with a Youth choir from Norway, to mark yet another one of their 10 year celebrations, with this concert being the 5th. The idea of having such a concert began in the year 2012, says Soundarie David, Music Director of Soul Sounds who of course needs no introduction. “While I was adjudicating at the World Choir Games in Cincinatti, I had the honour of listening to Professor Thomas Caplin’s choir ‘Defrost’ from Norway and I remember saying to him, you MUST bring them here to Sri Lanka. Last year, one of the senior girls from Soul Sounds and I visited Norway, which sort of sealed our idea to work together with Defrost which has now become a reality.”

Thomas Caplin who received his education as a singer, conductor and choral pedagogue at the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen and the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, is frequently engaged as a guest conductor and clinician. He is also involved in adjudicating many competitions within Norway as well as abroad. At present he conducts the Defrost Youth Choir, and is a leader and a singing member of the vocal group Nordic Blue. His first experience with Sri Lanka was at the Colombo Music Festival that took place during 2012 August, at which he worked with many of our local choirs.

Titled “Imagine” this concert will take place on Monday the 28th of July at 7.30 pm at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.

Here is an interview between Soundarie David (SD) and Professor Thomas Caplin (Prof).

Tell us about Defrost. How long have you been working with them?

Prof: We started with a wild idea of bringing talented singing youth in our area together in order to form a choir and take part in the world’s biggest choir competition – the World Choir Games in Cincinatti in the summer of 2012. So we auditioned some 70 singers and ended up with 27 young singers taking part in a competition for their very first time. We got two gold medals. When we came home the project was over but the singers wanted so much to continue together….so we did!

The work we do together is based on a “good citizen” context. We focus on building human beings with good values. The foundation of our work is built on four pillars; respect, solidarity, loyalty and tolerance. They are not full time singers – not at all. They are studying, be it secondary schools, college or university. We rehearse twice a week – actually the only amateur choir in Norway doing that.

How did you come to know of Soul Sounds? What were your experiences with them?

Prof: That was when I visited Sri Lanka for the first time two years ago, when I was invited to give workshops in connection with the Colombo Music Festival. Someone had told me, I think it was actually Soundarie that a lot happens in Sri Lanka with regard to choirs. I didn’t understand then what she was talking about, but I heard the breathtaking sound and musicianship of many choral groups here and then understood what she meant.

What are the special features about both these choirs?

Prof: The one joint feature is that these two choirs have the ability to reach out and touch the audience. I can guarantee a heartfelt and warm experience for everyone in the audience - young and old.

How did you come up with the title ‘Imagine’ for this programme?

SD:  The title actually was the idea of one of our senior chorister's idea, and came from the notion of building bridges, through music, tag line being ‘ imagine a world at peace, through music'.

How has preparing for this concert been so far?

Prof: Relaxed and focused. A lot of things will fall into place when we are finally in Sri Lanka and together.

SD: Well, for Soul Sounds there has been no break, we are just after our ‘Totally 80's' concert, which was pop, so now we need to adjust to singing classical and gospel, so a lot of detailed work on quality going on, but then again, we do derive pleasure in challenging ourselves, so rehearsals have been tough but have definitely contained a lot of enthusiasm and energy.

General description about the programme?

SD: The programme will be a repertoire covering different genres of music, from sacred, classical, to folk and pop.

What do you hope to achieve by this programme?

Prof: Apart from connecting these two choirs on a musical level, the most important will be the development we all will experience with regard to humanity, that we all understand that music is all about humanity.

SD: First of all, we hope to reach out to people and send out a strong message ‘ there are no barriers when it comes to music' the very fact that two countries, with different backgrounds can come together and make music would be testimony to this. On a personal note, it will be a new experience, sharing a stage with a choir from Norway, Soul Sounds has sung with other choirs before in China particularly with the Shillong Choir, but this time from Norway, and as you know, each region has a unique style to them, and we look forward to not merely singing with them, but also learning from them!

A message to all those interested in singing.

Prof: Let's come together and share good human values - whether you are a singer or in the audience. This is a unique possibility to really experience that from a human point of view and in our hearts, the world is not as big as we think.

SD: If music and singing is your passion, then go for it; don't let anything stop you from doing what brings you much joy. But remember that it takes a lot of sacrifice and hard work!

The two choirs hope to take their message of peace forward, by contributing all proceeds towards the Unity Mission Trust. Tickets priced at Rs. 3000, 2000, 1000 (reserved) and Rs. 500 (unreserved balcony seats) are available at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.

By Sindhu Ratnarajan