The Cecilian Choir, from Bengaluru, raises its voice for a cause

The Cecilian Choir, from Bengaluru, raises its voice for a cause

One of Bengaluru’s oldest choirs, The Cecilian Choir, will perform for a fundraiser in Bengaluru. Titled Memories Are Made of This, it is a fundraiser for St. Joseph’s University Scholarship Programs. The Cecilian Choir was started in 1982 by a group of musicians under the leadership of Reverend Dr Theodore Pereira.  

This year, the concert will be held at St. Joseph’s Auditorium, and offers financial assistance to students who come from economically weaker sections of society, says Arthur B Pais, President, Cecilian Choir.

The choir, he says, has been around for 42 years. “We are probably the longest serving choir in Bengaluru and intend to keep this legacy going. All our stage performances are fundraisers.”

Arthur describes each of the choir’s fundraisers as a worthy cause and over the years Cecilian Choir has helped raised funds for Multiple Sclerosis Society, Maria Seva Sangha, Abala Ashraya Sangha, Atma Shakti Vidayala Society, The Karunashraya Hospice, St Mary’s Orphanage, Sumanahalli Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre, The Association of People with Disability and Jeevarathani Foundation.

“In fact, when Karunahsraya started, we helped raise funds for their infrastructure. The concert was held at Guru Nanak Bhavan,” recalls Arthur.

Besides these, Arthur says some of their memorable performances include the 1999 concert at the invitation of Ministry of Tourism, Israel to perform at the Sherovah Theatre in Jerusalem and at a monastery in Nazareth for the millennium celebrations; and the 2011 concert presented by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Bangalore School of Music (BSM); in the presence of the ex-President of India, Pratibha Patil.

“We were the only Choir to have ever sung a song in Kannada at the Rashtrapati Bhavan,” shares the chorister.