The Double Blue Chorale (DBC) presents ‘Nostalgia’, its debut concert at 7.00 pm on Saturday 26th August at the Wesley College main hall. Comprising a group of music-loving old boys of Wesley College, this musical event is aimed at raising funds for the refurbishment of the College Biology Laboratory.  

Trained by veteran choral director Priyanthi Seneviratne Van Dort and backed by Eshan Fernando and his band ‘Neighbors’, the line-up features a large variety of songs from the Beatles, Bee Gees, CCR, Elvis Presley, among other popular singers. Led by Peter de Silva with Chryshan Rodrigo as Deputy Leader, the rest of the Double Blue Chorale features Kumar de Silva, Paul de Silva, Peter Peiris, Sushendra Peiris, Timothy Elpitiya and Jason Fernando.  Chief Guest at this much-awaited event is Mr Haig Karunaratne, Wesley’s legendary and iconic Choir Master from 1958-1990. Generations of Wesleyites will remember the deep commitment and incomparable passion with which he trained the Wesley College choir during his time.  

His thirty-two productive years as Choir Master enabled him to get the Wesley College choir involved in drama and music, leading to a number of productions staged at venues such as the Lionel Wendt Theatre, the Cathedral at Bauddhaloka Mawatha, various churches and the College Hall. 

He will best be remembered for The Festival of Dramatized Ballads and Song, which grew over the years and became a significant and eagerly looked forward to the event, not only in Wesley’s but also in the Sri Lankan schools’ cultural calendar.

His productions like the ‘Rainbow Man’, ‘Christmas Opera’, ‘The Pearl and the Swine Heard’, ‘East Side Story’, sometimes featured guest artists with the ‘Christmas Opera’ enabling the Wesley College choristers to interact with singers and actors from numerous schools.  

“An integral part of Wesley College’s academic curriculum, the biology laboratory requires urgent attention and modernisation to provide students with a conducive learning environment. We the members of the Double Blue Chorale members have taken it upon ourselves to raise funds and contribute towards this noble cause”, DBC leader Peter de Silva said. 

“As we journey towards our Sesquicentennial celebrations in March 2024, the Double Blue Chorale wishes to give back to College and hence Nostalgia, a soiree of songs”, Deputy Leader Chryshan Rodrigo added.
The Double Blue Chorale (DBC) was born in 2019 and comprised five young old boys. All former choristers, they still had the passion to sing, and to sing for their Alma Mater and were trained and guided by their former Choral Director at College, Priyanthi Seneviratne Van Dort. 

The same year the DBC was recognised by the Wesley College OBU, under the stewardship of its then-incumbent President, Wilhelm Van Dort, as the Wesley College Old Boys Choir.

Tickets are available at the Wesley College Office and the Old Wesleyites Sports Club (OWSC).  
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Pix courtesy - DBC