In one accord

It was two decades ago,in 1993,that the 77-year-old had founded the choir with approximately 80 lovers of western choral music. The aim was to make people in Pune know the genre. For their first performance later that year,they presented a concert based on British baroque composer George Frideric Handel’s oratorio titled Messiah. The exposure was one-of-its-kind for the city. “An oratorio is like an opera,which includes performance by a choir,soloists,ensemble and arias. But it does not require props or elaborate costumes. It is strictly a concert piece. Oratorios cannot be performed with a small choir. The performance was a hit in Pune and we were invited to perform in other cities,” says Manoharan. The choir was then asked to take their performance to Egypt,for which they had to get more members. “We performed in Egypt with two choirs of 80 singers each,who sang different parts of the oratorio,” remembers Manoharan.

Twenty years since,the choir–– comprising western music students from Spicer Memorial College,working professionals and retired music lovers –– is still travelling across the country with its music. “Name any city or town in India and we have performed there,” says Manoharan. Collaborating with choirs from other cities and adapting to modern sensibilities,Manoharan says that the choir has allowed its music to change over the years. The shift is evident in minute details such as the pre-recorded soundtrack they now use.

“We performed a rather modern composition by Pepper Choplin titled Come touch the robe about two years ago with a pre-recorded soundtrack. We usually have live music,but now we are adapting to the trend of pre-recorded music for our pieces,” says Manoharan. He adds that even though they started off with classical western performances,they moved on to mass performances,and for the last two or three years they have been involved with modern music.

In Mumbai and Pune,the choir performed with the Mumbai-based chantress of the Jesus choir and in Chennai with Madras Musicale Association.

When not on stage,the group is busy practising off it with Manoharan conducting regular workshops on voice culture and singing techniques too. “We meet twice a week for practice at the Spicer Memorial College premises and our practice studio in the city area. From the time we formed the choir,we have consistently had members from Spicer Memorial. They encourage students of music minor and major to join the choir. It is a mutual benefit scheme,we get members and in turn the members get exposure and hands-on experience of the subject they are studying,” says Manoharan.

He adds that they welcome new voices into their group every year and the only prerequisite is a pleasant and melodious voice.

The Poona Musicale will perform at 8am on Sunday in Oldham Methodist Church,East Street and at 6.30 pm at St Mary’s Church,Poolgate.

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