Indian choir to perform in Toronto

Shillong, Aug 9 (IANS) Meghalaya-based choral group, Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC) is all set to perform in Toronto Aug 20 as part of a South Asian festival, a group member said here Tuesday. 'We are all excited and Aug 20 will be our debut (maiden concert) in North America,' Damon Lyndem, bass singer of the choir, told IANS. The choir's performance at the Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, would be featured in Canada's 'Masala! Mehndi! Masti!' festival. 'Since there is a large ethnically Indian population, we will be performing a lot of Bollywood songs mixing them with English numbers. These numbers will be performed in our own style,' Lyndem said. The choir, which enthralled US President Barack Obama on his India visit last year, will perform a repertoire of classical, jazz and musica sacra on the WestJet Stage at the Harbourfront Centre. The Obamas appreciated the performance of the young choir mentored by pianist and conductor Neil Nongkynrih. The choral group has toured Europe, Sri Lanka and other South East Asian Countries. William Richmond Basaiawmoit, a soloist with the choir, said the group will also showcase its 'Sohlyngngem' - an opera which has earned rave reviews in several European nations. The choir was formed in 2001 by a group of singers who came together to produce a variety of music. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is often called India's rock capital.