Up Close With The Chamber Singers

November 4, 2017

This weekend, the popular choir group of Pune, The Chamber Singers, is set to perform at Gyaan Adaab in Kalyani Nagar.

Largely performing Western classical music pieces, the choir was formed 22 years ago with a core group of ladies brought together by Ms. Veronica Krishnayya.

As word about the Chamber of Singers got around, both Indians and expatriates alike sought to join the choir.

Eventually, the choir became a heterogeneous mixture of people from different backgrounds and age-groups. Most members had very little in common, save their love for music and playing to an audience.

“Choirs require you to have studied music, but I had not. But this choir takes the pain to work with amateurs like me, giving me a chance to learn,” said Chetan Shetty a member. Chetan added that in India, there weren’t many opportunities for organised group singing.

Veronica reminisces of a 94-year-old American woman member who was with the group; she was so full of life, despite being blind and delighted to be in the company of the choir.

In India, many people are unfamiliar with Western classical music, and when we asked Krishnayya as to what drew people to join the choir, she explained that their love for music brought them together.

As for the Indian audience’s acceptance she explained, “We do give them translations and explanations for the pieces we perform, but music is a universal language. It will touch the heart, and that’s what music is all about.”

Their upcoming show at Gyaan Adaab features songs by the likes of Bob Dylan, Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and Joe Cocker.

“Why I’m going back to the late 60s and 70s music is because the world at large, is going through turbulent times. These artists left their voices to be heard through song. And that made me think of using those songs in these times.”