CHENNAI: When the Children’s Choir of St Luke's church won a cash prize of Rs 25,000 last Christmas, they made a decision: the money had to be put to better use than X’mas presents for themselves. So, when the season for carols rolled around 12 months later, these youngsters, aged 7-14 were ready with a plan. Choir director, Clement Williams, who organised this project together with his wife says, “We decided to put together a Christmas album to raise funds for a good cause.” In tune with it’s purpose and the spirit of Christmas, it's called, A Time to Love. The album, released earlier this month, has 11 songs, both contemporary and traditional. These include season favourites such as Joy to the World (watch out for a Tamil twist), A King is Born and Feliz Navidad. “One of our biggest challenges while recording the songs at the studio was the fact that some of the boys had their voices cracking around the same time,” Clement shares. “So that was kind of tough,” he laughs. However, to make things easier, the pitch of each song was adapted to suit the vocal ranges of the children in choir. After two months of solid practise, the tiny Samaritans made their way into a recording studio. “We were really excited because it was a first for all of us to enter a proper studio,” says a soft-spoken N Sujitha (10). “But the moment our recording was played back to us, we thought: ‘Was that really us’? Because we sounded so much better in rehearsal!” Evidently choral singing live is very different from the same in a recording booth. A few rehearsals later, they were good to go. Also on the album and certainly one its highlights, is a rendition of the Malayalam composition, Minnum Minnum sung by newly formed gospel group, Crew 150:6. “I saw a video of the song on YouTube. It’s an original composition by a Keralite troupe in the US,” Clement explains. “We were impressed. So, we gave them a call and asked if we could translate and do a Tamil version on the album. They were quite happy to oblige.” Possibly, the best part of the making of this album is that beyond the fundraising activities, it will serve as a fitting goodbye to many of the kids who have outgrown the choir. Vasanth Solomon (15) says, “I’m in my 10th. So, next year, I may have to leave to focus on my academics.” He adds, “This was memorable for all of us.”(A Time to Love is priced at `100 and is available at Good Pastor bookstores and Santhome Cathedral Church. For details, contact 7299577000)
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