A Glorious tradition of hope through music

Bangalore: Anyone who can talk can most certainly sing. A claim that Reji Chandy, founder-director of Glorious, maintains. A claim that has seen this city-based youth choir present over 450 performances, spanning 19 years on platforms across the country.
There was a general apathy towards the structured system of choir singing about the time Glorious was formed in 1989.Choirs, loosely translated, meant dwindling groups of old-timers who sang old-fashioned music at Sunday services and Christmas Mass.
But Glorious changed all that. When it meets every Sunday afternoon, a practice that has become a lifestyle for the 75 youngsters who are part of the present group. "To me, it's more than just a choir; it's a blessing... I've found family, friends and my music here," says soloist Anthony Armourdour, cultural secretary of St Joseph's College of Commerce. The Glorious Family is indeed huge, 650-odd strong and scattered across the globe.
The group has four official seasons a year. The calendar begins with an Easter production __ usually an extravagant outdoor light-and-sound event. That's followed by a residential summer music camp open for anyone from the age of 5 upwards. September sees the reputed Festival of Harmony which offers a non-competitive stage to veteran and amateur choral groups from around the country. December brings the much-awaited Christmas concert.
So, what's special about this year's concert? It will launch a year-long celebration of music-centred activities. "What better way to begin our 20th year than by sharing Christmas, the Season of Hope?" says co-founder, Esther Chandy.
The title of the concert, Oh! Happy Day, is about defining happiness in a world dimmed by doubt, death and despair. The group believes that by looking back to the original Christmas story, hope can be born again. The concert promises inspiring songs, soul-stirring lyrics and music that will refresh the world-weary heart.
Soloists to look forward to this year are Deepa Jacob, Judith Philip, Salomi Rao, Sandra Oberoi, Shaini Verghese, Suchitha Raju, Rebecca Keerthana, Ajay Joseph, Andrew Daniel, Anthony Amourdour, Daniel Karthik, Karun Chandy, Mark Paul and Sunny Johnson.
Oh! Happy Day is on at Dr B R Ambedkar Bhavan at 6.30 pm on December 13 and 14. A special show will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, December 14.