Standing under the leafy canopy outside the rehearsal hall on a Friday evening, you are likely to hear more hoots of laughter and guffaws of merriment than the angelic voices of children harmonizing. However, in-between the umpteen inside jokes and dashing around recklessly during their break and filing out now and then for sectionals, the children of the MGPA Junior Choir, or the #Shortz, as they are affectionately dubbed, manage to unite their voices and beautifully bring to life many pieces of music from their vastly varied repertoire.
A typical rehearsal with the children’s choir begins with warm-ups and catching up over how their week went (this can take a while). Then follow revisions of music they’ve already learnt and introduction of new music, followed by a final run-through before they disperse. All this does not happen without being constantly peppered with laughter at (and with) their beloved conductor, and the strangest jokes you are ever likely to hear. The hall reverberates with the energy (and quite a bit of noise) that these children from different walks of life bring in with them. From sharing incidents at school or their fights with their siblings, and finally sharing this musical experience, there is a sense of community and harmony fostered in these children along with a blossoming love for music.
In a lot of ways, the children have learnt much more than just music at these rehearsals and their concerts. From peer teaching in groups, to sometimes unwittingly (and accidentally) choreographing their songs, and learning to look out for each other, their coming together over music has managed to achieve an intuitive coordination among them. Punctuality is a discipline they have learnt to never compromise on (Ask them, they have many colourful stories to tell you!). Empathy for the other, sharing birthday treats, working hard before the concert, and going equally berserk after their performance, are all a quintessential part of their life in the choir.
From learning to perform melodious and heart rending pieces to wowing the audience with their upbeat, cheery Christmas tunes, and now preparing for their upcoming performance of jazz and blues, the #Shortz have come a long way. And growing with their love for music and performance, is also their bond as choristers. Sure, they can drive us up the wall with their antics and ideas of humour, but when they’re up on that stage and bringing fond smiles to the faces of their happy audience, there’s no better feeling.
