About Us: Music has always been a highly appreciated tradition at St. Benedict’s College. One could trace back choral singing at St. Benedict’s to the early years of the 20th.Century when La Sallian Christian brother expatriates from Europe inculcated in the local ... moreMusic has always been a highly appreciated tradition at St. Benedict’s College. One could trace back choral singing at St. Benedict’s to the early years of the 20th.Century when La Sallian Christian brother expatriates from Europe inculcated in the local staff and student bodies , an appreciation of choral singing. They brought to our school the rich traditions of classical music that prevailed in Europe, at the time. By and by , they were ably assisted by highly interested and committed lay trainers cum teachers who went on to train prize winning choirs that stood out among schools and also were in great demand for national events.
The history of the Benedictine choirs would not be complete without reference to the great English musician Rev.Bro. Hugh Farrington , ably assisted by Bonnie Fonseka. They established the reputation of Benedictine choirs. Bonnie, who was the Master in charge of Music in addition to being in charge of the Commercial Studies section , was able to form and maintain a choir of over sixty boys, both seniors and juniors , through the mid ‘40’s upto his retirement in 1956. He was able to get the services of great musicians of the calibre of Vincent and Norbert Rodrigo, Gerry Crake, K.S.Perera , Eugene Rosairo who were also old Bens , to assist in the orchestral accompaniment.
It was difficult to fill the void left by Bonnie ,after his retirement. Mr. Silveira took over as choir master but , clearly the glory days of Benedictine singing seemed to have passed . Musical interest was revived in the late ‘50’s when Rev.Bro. Edward ( now Rev.Fr. Joseph Vaz ) formed the Ben Music Club. The music was contemporary pop of the time and the performers at the ‘ Our Own’ lunch time shows were some of the talented students. Many of the performers of the time went on to become professionals in the music field. One remembers with nostalgia names such as Terry Soysa, Lawrence Thuring, Denzil and Bosco , The L Brothers , Felix Fernando and Lucien Perera of the Jetliners, Raj Seneviratne and Evans Balasuriya of ‘Savage’, Benjy Ranabahu and Donald Peiris of ‘Aquarius’,and ‘Mirage’, The Croner boys as the ‘ Junior Rythmiers’, Nalake Fernando, Tillet Peiris and Chinty Perera of the Spitfires, Neville Casiechetty and Teles Anandappa of ‘The Bohemians’, Revel Crake, Trevin Joseph, Bobby and Dwight Caspersz , Anton Wickremasinghe , Ryle Caspersz, Trevor Alphonso, Ronnie Foenander,and many others . How can one forget the girls from our neighbours, Good Shephers Convent, who took part in the ‘Our Own’ shows ? Dalrene Arnolda (nee de Kretzser) started her rise to stardom from these shows. Vyvette and Yolande Caspersz were greatly appreciated tap dancers. The boys and girls had a few joint musical presentations such as ‘Gypsy Caravansarai’ , under the direction of the renowned dramatist, Yolande Abeyweera and with Anselm Gunesekera as the gypsy leader cum compere. Sadly, with the departure of Bro.Edward , the activities of the Ben Music Club also came to a halt.
In the late 1980’s, old Ben Robert Joseph took charge of the primary choir and thereon started training a host of talented Bens who have shown great interest in reviving music and very specially choral singing at St.Benedict’s. Once again, we produced prize winning choirs. He also initiated the formation of an old Bens Choir and with the assistance of experts in the field such as Kalasurie Lylie Godridge , produced public performances such as ‘Unfinished Symphony’ which were very well received. The old boys choir has gone from strength to strength and from ‘ Old Bens Chorale’ to the present ‘ Choro Benedicte .’ The training of the college choirs was taken over by Rev. Bro. Augustine, Francis D Almeida and Mr. Johnpulle . Many members of the present Choro Benedicte owe their progress in the musical field to these renowned dedicated yet relatively inconspicuous trainers who have contributed to the music scene at St.Benedict’s. Francis D’Almeida , in particular , has achieved national fame as a qualified trainer and is responsible for the training of many school choirs and seminarians.
Many young old Bens attribute a modern step up change in the music scene at St.Benedicts to the arrival in 1996 of Ravien George ( an old Peterite ) . Being not much older to the senior choir members , he seems to have related very effectively to the choir members. The present Music Director of Choro Benedicte , Krishan Rodrigo, refers to Ravien George with much reverence and attributes his own great commitment to music and to the dedicated training he indulges in , to the example set by Ravien . Incidentally, Ravien George gave up his training of the college choir in 2000, to take up employment abroad.
Krishan Rodrigo, who hails from a family of musicians (remember the Rodrigo Brothers of the ‘Our Own’ era?),
has been in charge of the college choir. Under his guidance the choir has reached remarkable heights of success, and has been cited as one of Sri Lanka’s best classical choirs. The choir maintains a tradition of having an annual Easter service and Christmas carol service. The hard work and dedication culminated in the Choir winning the all island singing competition in the year 1999 and was named the Islands Best Choir in the Open category. The judges were thrilled to listen to the rendering of “Worthy is the Lamb” the last chorus of the greatest oration in the world, written by G.F. Handel “The Messiah”. The Benedictine choir has also sung the second part of this chorus, the “Amen”. The first school choir in Sri Lanka to attempt it successfully. Since then the College Choir has attempted popular choruses from the “Messiah” and many other choruses very successfully. It is also worthy to make a note that over the years the Choir’s image has very gradually has changed from a choir that performed only classical music to a choir that performed all types of music ranging from the 70’s right through to the contemporary hits.
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