Christmas under the stars

• An evening of Christmas musical masterpieces at Arcade Independence Square

On 19 December, the Arcade Independence Square is primed to resound with the magical sounds of ‘Christmas under the stars’. This prestigious event features the inspiring Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL), which holds the accolade of being one of the oldest orchestras in South Asia, performing such unforgettable Christmas classics as the ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ overture, which features the opening triumphant pealing bells and the brassy quotations from Handel’s ‘Joy to the World’. And who can forget the merry tunes from the Christmas holiday movie franchise, ‘Home Alone’, with movie scores composed by the most famous film composer of all time, Kohn T. Williams. Leroy Anderson’s Christmas Festival Medley is sure to bring the cheer of Christmas to every heart in the audience, and to top it off, a special sing-along is also featured where you are invited to raise your voices and join in this magically musical evening. This unique and one-of-a-kind event will be held on 19 December from 7 p.m. onwards as part of the Arcade’s very first Christmas celebrations giving the opportunity for everyone to enjoy masterworks from orchestral repertoire of the SOSL who are performing in concert with the international acclaimed Soul Sounds Choir, the Old Joe’s Choir. Soul Sounds has been ranked with some of the most renowned choirs in the world and have enthralled audiences both in Sri Lanka and abroad. They are the first female ensemble and also the first choir in the country to venture out into the international world of choir music. The Old Joe’s Choir, since its inception in 1997, has gained the unique reputation of its ability to adapt music of various genres into a choral form and present it in its own style and blend of harmony. The open air event will be graced by the Chief Guest, the Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo and many high-ranking officials and VIPs. ‘Christmas under the Stars’ is a public event, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, organised by Mel Ads Ltd. All are welcome to come and experience this exceptional performance of orchestral masterpieces and melodic harmony and promises to be one of the most talked about Christmas events of the Season.