CLEFOLUTION: Not your average choir!

• Group of passionate individuals offers solutions through music and gives voice to upliftment of mental health

Music has been scientifically proven to be a solution to numerous human problems. It brings comfort, joy and positivity to one’s life. It is a vital ingredient for one to have a fulfilling life regardless of what style of music appeals to one. Music also plays a part in mental health. How? Well, this is where Clefolution wants to strike a chord. 

Founded by Kumuduni Perera-David and Shehan Wijemanne, Clefolution is a new choral ensemble consisting of a group of passionate individuals. While this may sound like any other choral group or choir, Clefolution places an effort in showing that they are not your average choir. 

It all begins with the members themselves. Rather than gender-specific classifications, members are classified as either treble or bass. Even then, the “Clefs”, as they are affectionately called, are taught to not stick with just one particular voice classification.

As Kumudini shares, “Just because you’re singing bass, that doesn’t make you bass for the rest of your life.” As such, Clefs are encouraged to familiarise themselves with two or more voice classifications. This adds an additional layer of fluidity to each member and strengthens their ability to listen to each other.

Raising mental health awareness

It’s not only about singing though. Clefolution was also formed to give voice to the upliftment of mental health in Sri Lanka. The topic of mental health is not one that is commonly spoken of in Sri Lanka. It is often treated with silence and hushed away. But that needs to change. 

Each and every member of Clefolution is dedicated to being a voice to raise awareness on mental health. As such, all of their efforts place emphasis on building awareness around mental health and to lend a hand to those who are working for the betterment of it. 

‘Sacred Chords: Our Prayer in Song’

The ensemble’s debut sacred music program titled ‘Sacred Chords: Our Prayer In Song’ will take place on 11 October at the Parish Hall of St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya.

Being the first program of the ensemble, Clefolution has pledged to donate part of the proceeds from the program to Shanthi Maargam, which is a registered Non-Governmental Organisation in Sri Lanka that seeks to reduce violence in communities. This is done by carrying out awareness and counselling session to heal emotional traumas of adolescents and youth who have been a victim of abuse. The proceeds will be utilised to construct and operate a dedicated Youth Counselling Centre for Shanthi Maargam.

Clefolution and being a Clef

We sat down with Kumudini Perera-David, Shehan Wijemanne and Dr. Sean Amarasekera, who are the Founders and Director of Clefolution, respectively to see what Clefolution and being a Clef are all about. 

“I’ve been singing in choirs for 20 years now and something I’ve witnessed over the years is how the concept of choirs, especially in Sri Lanka, somehow translates to bleaching the choristers of their identities, much like our schools,” says Kumudini. 

“Further, all my singing friends end up identifying themselves by the voice categories they are assigned to. You are soprano, alto, tenor or bass for life and never end up being able to hold a solo unless you’re one of those charismatic individuals born for the stage. Keeping choristers niched into voice categories is easier for choral directors as it’s a bygone conclusion and directors don’t need to worry about training a voice to reach beyond its current state.”

Kumudini emphasises that choristers should be individuals who are receiving a well-rounded education in music theory, vocal pedagogy, music composition, music production and performance. Unfortunately Sri Lanka does not offer a full-fledged education in vocal music.

“I formed Clefolution because I wanted to bring together a set of people willing to push their boundaries, explore music together and create choral magic. This goes a long way towards making Clefolution practices therapeutic experiences. We encourage our choristers to be themselves and relax.  We also allow for distance learning using online platforms for teaching parts. This allows for choristers to learn at their own pace and commit only for what they can.”

A dream become reality

For Kumudini, Clefolution is a dream become reality. “Clefolution is a music learning environment with a focus on mental health wellbeing. I see my people growing day by day. My co-directors are people I trust immensely. Clefolution makes me happy.”

“I used to conduct classes together for a long time with Kumudini,” says Shehan Wijemanne. “I guess that’s why she wanted me to be Co-Founder/Partner for it.”

Shehan is also not a stranger to the world of music. Music played an important part in his life and he felt that it was the right time to use his talents to do something for society. When Kumudini mentioned raising awareness of mental health, Shehan was sold.

“Some of us are blessed enough to be able to function on our own while certain others are not. Therefore I feel it is our duty to help those who are not blessed as much as we are.”

Solutions through music

For Shehan, the word Clefolution derives from the words Clef and Solution. This, he says, is the cornerstone of Clefolution: solutions through music.

Shehan also shared that the local choral industry is still in its infancy. While we do have a fair amount of Choral groups and choirs, they are virtually unknown outside Colombo. “Clefolution is trying to take choral music to the masses,” says Shehan. 

By getting audiences to appreciate music, the goal is to make choral singing a new industry. This in turn can make it a sustainable profession for those who choose to make a name in choral singing. 

Breaking all barriers and boundaries

Dr. Sean Amarasekera (more affectionately known as Sean The Great) is a doctor by day and a musician by night. 

“I have known Kumudini since 2002’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’. From that time on we have become frequent collaborators and firm friends. She is a musician par excellence and like me, hates to be pigeonholed to a genre. Whenever she has invited me to join a musical adventure, I have unhesitatingly jumped in with both feet. Clefolution is but the latest instance.”

For Sean, Clefolution has brought together an amazing group of like-minded individuals who love to sing, laugh… and eat – all three of which nourish the soul. He emphasises that being a Clef means you break all barriers and boundaries, be it gender classifications, language or musical genre. 

He draws inspiration from his first singing mentor, the late Kalasuri Lylie Godridge (or “Uncle Lylie” as everyone knew him) who says, “Everyone can sing.” This is an opinion that Kumudini strongly promotes in her life and with directing Clefolution.  

“Clefolution represents to me a blank canvas on which we can paint anything we set our hearts and minds to,” says Sean. In Sean’s instance, it is an opportunity to encounter new exciting works and and an opportunity tick off all the bucket lists of songs he’s been dying to do for years.

Why Clefolution?

Sashika Kamaldasa sees Clefolution as a way to find himself. “I was drawn to Clefolution because of its philosophy and approach to singing. That is believing that anyone (unless clinically diagnosed as tone deaf) can sing, and not classifying voices based on sex or gender. Finding out that the choir is committed to strengthening our country’s mental health institutions was the icing on the cake. Finally, it has helped me find a unique voice – literally and metaphorically – helping me face my own psychological battles head on.”

Charith Kaluaratchie, who started as a treble voice but is also all about that bass, shares similar sentiments. For him, “Clefolution is a place where you can be yourself and not be out of place in any way or form. It is a group of rather talented and passionate individuals that bar none have the most amazing time working with each other and winding each other up! Also… We sing! We sing our collective hearts out every chance we get and the sheer energy when everyone is together is a truly blessed experience. My experience at Clefolution has been nothing but growth, encouragement, laughter and love. And I truly believe in the causes that we support.”

Clefolution’s debut sacred music program ‘Sacred Chords: Our Prayer in Song’ will be held on 11 October at the Parish Hall of St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya. Tickets are unreserved and priced at Rs. 1,200. Contact Kumudini Perera-David on 0777588663 or Darshi De Mel on 0773403486 for tickets.

Pix by Mahesh de Andrado