WORLD MUSIC DAY 2018. VIDYARANYA SCHOOL. WHAT A TIME IT WAS... IT WAS

     Listening to live music on a Sunday morning is as blissful as life can get, and bliss is the word that best described what the audience at Vidyaranya School felt on the 24th of June 2018; the day Hyderabad celebrated World Music Day.  

     And what a delightful variety of music we heard by a bunch of talented young people who kept us entertained and joyously engaged for two and a half hours. And before we forget to do so, we must thank Nandini Rao of Vidyaranya School, and Joe Koster of the Hyderabad Western Music Foundation (HWMF) for putting together the flawless programming and organisation of this lovely event, and bringing to us in the audience this plethora of local talent that is otherwise not seen, heard, recognized or acknowledged.

     This was definitely the high point of an eventful year that celebrates 10-years of HWMF and its concerts that brought together musicians, listeners, music teachers and has created 

a forum for intercultural musical exchange, and provided a performance platform for local and non-local musicians in a series of concerts and workshops with the sincere belief that music has the power to unite people, propagate pluralism and create Harmony through music.

    

     The first group of twelve young musicians to perform were the ISH Vocal Studio “La Voce” ISH stands for International School Hyderabad and these were students of the school, and they were directed by Iryna Tsarenko along with vocal coach Kathy Coard. They performed nine songs culled from musicals, displaying their skills, singing solos with choral backing, and singing in harmony as a chorus.

     The next to perform, and was perhaps, to some, the most supremely talented pianist of his age, or any age. 12 year old Yash Agarwal, who played Sonata in B Minor K 27 by D. Scarlatti, showing fluent skill and musicianship way beyond his years. He was joined by his 8 year old sister, Kashvi, and they both played 'four  hands', the Allegro from Sonata in C major by W. A Mozart.     

    A group of six, ‘Care & Love Strings’, and their teacher Abhijit Gurjale played some traditional English fiddle tunes, ‘Hunting the Hare & the Fairy Dance’ and also a Minuet by J.S. Bach.  

     Abhijit Gurjale followed this by displaying his finesse on the violin; playing ‘Pugnani Kreisler-Preludium and Allegro’. His beautiful bowing and rich full, smooth sound was world class. He followed up this Western classical piece with Carnatic classical music in which he is also proficient, and it was, to a knowledgeable member of the audience, the first time that he had heard Carnatic music played on the violin with such a gorgeous tonal quality, and with such great understanding of the music.

     Twelve year old Saachi Chennur, accompanied by her sister Sarika Chennur on violin, sang ‘Someone Like You’ from the musical Jekyl and Hyde, her vocal ability, her voice, and interpretation of the song, displayed vocal maturity beyond her years. This was another great revelation of local talent, and what became another talking point during homeward bound discussions of the mornings music.       

Hyderabad Youth Ensemble was next, the 17 member group including the music director Joe Koster, comprised 5 violinists, one cello, a flute, a clarinet, tenor and alto saxophones, two trumpets, two trombones, bass, guitar and drums. And, as Nicole, the Flautist, said, the ensemble comprised of not just the young, but also the young at heart. 

     It was so good to see and hear an ensemble of this sort, possibly for the first time in Hyderabad in many years, and it was such a pleasure to hear this rousing music from the musical /movie ‘Les Miserables’ played with such gusto and zest that was transmitted to the audience that lapped it up with relish.

    Nina Cherla was next, this young lady sang a good competent version of the song ‘One Moment in Time’ accompanied by the Hyderabad Youth Ensemble.

     

Clayton Sheehan, music teacher, and superb musician that he is, sang in his mellow and soothing baritone, a very personal and peerless version of the song written by Paul Anka and made famous by Frank Sinatra, called ‘My Way’. He was ably accompanied by the Hyderabad Youth Ensemble. 

     

     The final act of the day at Vidyaranya School, was Deccan Voices in collaboration with Octafret Music academy, who did a medley of ABBA songs as from the movie Mama Mia. The 23 member chorus of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses was accompanied by bass guitar, drums, guitar and directed by Joe Koster from the piano. The fun songs were sung with enthusiasm, good harmony and balance.

     But their version of ‘Joyful, Joyful’ was a fitting end to the day’s programme, this song partly based on Beethoven’s symphony No. 9, but arranged for the movie Sister Act 2, was performed in a lively rendition that left us in the audience feeling good about having spent a wonderful morning suffused in music that fortified us for the day ahead.