Bells are ringing, music’s playing and a choir singing. The familiar sounds of the season are in the air.
With December round the corner, a whole horde of choirs and bands come out to present the good old yuletide carols. One such group that performed a spectacular concert, heralding in the season was the Shepherds’ Symphony Orchestra. What sets this group apart?
It’s said to be Bengaluru’s first and only all-girl Western Classical choir and orchestra. Led by reputed S. Job Jesudian, the choir delivered a spectacular classical music concert at the Holy Trinity Church, recently.
Aged between 10 and 22, the girls sang in a four-part harmony as well as performed with a range of Western Classical instruments, including a violin collective backed by cellos and double bass. Their success has taken them across the country and even to London.
The orchestra’s repertoire includes a significant amount of music from Messiah, a large scale musical work composed in 1741 by German-born English composer -- George Frederic Handel.
“I took up the challenge of training the girls. Since it was a girls’ choir, we had to choose the voices carefully, especially for bass. We started with just recorders and a keyboard and then added the cellos and double bass and slowly put together the orchestra you see now.”
One of their most appreciated pieces is the soul-stirring Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah, a complex overture of musical work, which demands dedication and perfection. While the orchestra was officially launched in November last year, the core group has been performing since 2005 in Cluny Convent High School and 2011 in Bishop Cotton Girls’ School.
Forming a choir has always been second nature to Job. “When I was in Delhi in the Air Force, I used to train the Cathedral choir. Then I went on to form a children’s choir for the Evangelical Church of India before kicking off this orchestra at Cluny Convent.”
What shot the choir to fame was its numerous performances in competitions like White Christmas and Basel Mission’s Christmas. “The girls from Cluny and Cottons went on to bag the first prize in the institution category for 10 years continuously. It was a big morale boost for them and inspired us to take up music from Handel’s Messiah seriously.”
With a musical experience of over 30 years, Job joined the Indian Air Force in 1984 and performed with the Air Warrior Symphony Orchestra before taking charge as musical instructor for new recruits and later as music conductor for composing and arranging. After 20 years of service, he joined Cluny Convent as a music teacher in 2004 and went on work at Bishop Cottons since 2011 after which he quit in 2015 to concentrate completely on music education and the orchestra.
Currently the organist at Memorial Church, Bharathinagar, the accomplished music teacher takes classes on weekdays for instruments between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. while the orchestra and choir meet for practise on Sundays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“Once I started the choir independently, almost the entire core team from both schools joined along with a few new girls. Now we are preparing to head to Australia and the United States next year.” He adds that the choir is open to anyone. “After the girls move out or get married, they are encouraged to come back and teach.” Why an all-girl choir? He laughs and says: “Since it started in a girls’ school, I let it carry on the same way. It’s also easier since boys are a little more difficult to control.” He quickly adds: “Once the girls’ orchestra stabilises, we will work a boys’ version as well.”
Sharon Leo
19 years, keyboardist
I’ve been in playing in the choir for five years, when Job sir was teaching in Cluny Convent. I joined the independent choir a few months ago.
The experience has been intense because it takes a lot of practise putting together performances like this, especially combined practises with other instruments.
It’s fun because we went around and won competitions that we lost count. It has been a gratifying experience. I did most of my learning through the choir. This kind of music is dying out. I feel privileged and honoured to be part of such a choir. It’s a unique experience and not something a lot of people get. I’m currently pursuing computer science engineering, but intend to keep music as a backup plan.
Pallavi Pinto
16 years, tenor singer
I’ve been with Job sir since I was in class eight. The experience has been fantastic. There have been a lot of opportunities to sing, especially in London. It takes practise to perform at an international level, adjust voices and sing as a team. I’ve made new friends in the process and learnt a lot of values. Not only do I learn my part but also others. Helping and teaching one another has helped each of us improve our music skills. I’ve only kept gaining and there is no end to the learning music experience. I do plan on continuing to sing and will be taking lessons for vocal examinations. I currently study commerce in Bishop Cotton Girls’ School.
Sahana R. S.
20 years, violinist
I’ve been with the choir for the last 11 years. I was in class five in Cluny Convent when I joined. I’m passionate about music and this is a great experience. I lost touch with the choir after my class 10 briefly. I was happy when I got the call from Job sir to join the choir again. It helped me reconnect with my violin as well. It has helped me in my own personal music journey. Once I finish my studies, I will return to music and keep it as a part time passion along with my job. I currently study electronics and communication engineering.
