KATHMANDU, DEC 12 - ‘Come on. Sounds a bit sluggish. We need a bit more...let’s go a bit faster!’Getting a hundred or more singers in shape for one of the Kathmandu Chorale’s semi-annual concerts is no mean feat. Coming from every corner of the world, with a wide range of musical talent, the choralists come together to get into shape every Monday evening at The British School in Kathmandu.Singing a wide range of songs—from sacred, classical, secular, traditional, modern, jazz, and pop, in every language, the last few concerts have included songs by the Beatles, Handel’s Messiah, French folk songs, and Latin sacred music from the eleventh century.Suzi Groeli from Switzerland has been living in Kathmandu since 1984. She remembers that the chorale, founded by Karen Messerschmidt, started two years before she arrived, but for the first 10 years of living here, bringing up children and family life ma
de it difficult to attend the weekly rehearsals. Singing with the choir since 1994, Susie recalls that the first rehearsals were held at the British Embassy, where, at the time, the only grand piano in Kathmandu was located. Since most of the choralists lived on the other side of the city, she was glad when later they moved to rehearse at one of the international schools, taking turns at The British School and Lincoln School.Susan Durston, Regional Education Adviser for UNICEF South Asia, has been singing with the chorale for the nine years she has lived and worked in Kathmandu. Working all around the world—first as a VSO volunteer in Papua New Guinea, then Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, India, and Nepal—Susan has been able to join choirs in most of the places where she has worked. “It’s fun,” she says, and she loves singing. She remembers her first conductor here, the music teacher at the Lincoln School, who led the choir for several seasons. Then there was Nene, a German lady who loved the ‘big’ works like Hadyn masses. The last few years have seen the popularity of the chorale increase and now around a hundred choralists come together under the guidance of an American, Bryan Varenkamp. As well as expats (many long term residents in Kathmandu) from countries such as the USA, Korea, Germany, France, Japan, the Philippines, Chad, Australia, Britain, Switzerland—the list goes on—an increasing number of Nepali singers come in as well. Some are music students and while others just come with an interest and talent in singing. Bryan Varenkamp’s energy and enthusiasm is infectious and for many, the weekly rehearsals are an enjoyable highlight of the week.Bryan, originally from Texas in the U.S., first visited Nepal in 1985, returning in 1988 to settle except for a short spell in India. Working in language development among the Eastern Tamang people, he has spent time living in a village and travelling in the eastern districts of Nepal. Graduating in music, his first instrument was the piano, then the French horn. He has always sung in choirs and played in bands, whether jazz, symphony orchestras, or accompanying. Travel led to an interest in linguistics, so after obtaining a Master’s in the subject in Texas, Bryan returned to work in language development. Now based in Kathmandu, Bryan now also fits in teaching music at KISC along with language development.Bryan joined the chorale in the spring of 2003. During the following winter season, he was asked to help share the conducting with Agnes Quimpo. Since the spring season of 2004, Bryan has conducted every season of concerts, except for one concert when he was on home leave.The choice of songs for the chorale is largely determined by suggestions from choralists, keeping in mind the audience and the composition of the choir: age, ability, tastes—so everyone can find something they like. Bryan chooses a wide range of different types of music, periods, and level of difficulty. The concerts in recent years have taken place at The British School, often accompanied by an orchestra made up of musicians, some who are also choralists, some from the schools and others just interested to play together. Sometimes, children from KISC, The British School and the Lincoln School join in some of the songs. The musical background of the choralists is very varied—from very talented singers and musicians to those who can just about follow the music. It helps to be able to read music to a certain extent, though listening to CDs to practise between rehearsals is a definite help. The choralists chip in to pay a fee to cover costs of hiring the school hall for rehearsals, the concert, and for copies of the music. Entry to the concerts is free, but donations are taken at the door. These are then used to give to one or two small charities nominated and agreed on by the chorale. Donations from this concert will be given to Koshish and Punarbal Plus. The Kathmandu Chorale will be performing its 54th concert ‘Winter Nights ‘ on Saturday Dec. 12 at The British School.Heredge is the programme officer librarian at the Mountain Forum Secretariat.
de it difficult to attend the weekly rehearsals. Singing with the choir since 1994, Susie recalls that the first rehearsals were held at the British Embassy, where, at the time, the only grand piano in Kathmandu was located. Since most of the choralists lived on the other side of the city, she was glad when later they moved to rehearse at one of the international schools, taking turns at The British School and Lincoln School.Susan Durston, Regional Education Adviser for UNICEF South Asia, has been singing with the chorale for the nine years she has lived and worked in Kathmandu. Working all around the world—first as a VSO volunteer in Papua New Guinea, then Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, India, and Nepal—Susan has been able to join choirs in most of the places where she has worked. “It’s fun,” she says, and she loves singing. She remembers her first conductor here, the music teacher at the Lincoln School, who led the choir for several seasons. Then there was Nene, a German lady who loved the ‘big’ works like Hadyn masses. The last few years have seen the popularity of the chorale increase and now around a hundred choralists come together under the guidance of an American, Bryan Varenkamp. As well as expats (many long term residents in Kathmandu) from countries such as the USA, Korea, Germany, France, Japan, the Philippines, Chad, Australia, Britain, Switzerland—the list goes on—an increasing number of Nepali singers come in as well. Some are music students and while others just come with an interest and talent in singing. Bryan Varenkamp’s energy and enthusiasm is infectious and for many, the weekly rehearsals are an enjoyable highlight of the week.Bryan, originally from Texas in the U.S., first visited Nepal in 1985, returning in 1988 to settle except for a short spell in India. Working in language development among the Eastern Tamang people, he has spent time living in a village and travelling in the eastern districts of Nepal. Graduating in music, his first instrument was the piano, then the French horn. He has always sung in choirs and played in bands, whether jazz, symphony orchestras, or accompanying. Travel led to an interest in linguistics, so after obtaining a Master’s in the subject in Texas, Bryan returned to work in language development. Now based in Kathmandu, Bryan now also fits in teaching music at KISC along with language development.Bryan joined the chorale in the spring of 2003. During the following winter season, he was asked to help share the conducting with Agnes Quimpo. Since the spring season of 2004, Bryan has conducted every season of concerts, except for one concert when he was on home leave.The choice of songs for the chorale is largely determined by suggestions from choralists, keeping in mind the audience and the composition of the choir: age, ability, tastes—so everyone can find something they like. Bryan chooses a wide range of different types of music, periods, and level of difficulty. The concerts in recent years have taken place at The British School, often accompanied by an orchestra made up of musicians, some who are also choralists, some from the schools and others just interested to play together. Sometimes, children from KISC, The British School and the Lincoln School join in some of the songs. The musical background of the choralists is very varied—from very talented singers and musicians to those who can just about follow the music. It helps to be able to read music to a certain extent, though listening to CDs to practise between rehearsals is a definite help. The choralists chip in to pay a fee to cover costs of hiring the school hall for rehearsals, the concert, and for copies of the music. Entry to the concerts is free, but donations are taken at the door. These are then used to give to one or two small charities nominated and agreed on by the chorale. Donations from this concert will be given to Koshish and Punarbal Plus. The Kathmandu Chorale will be performing its 54th concert ‘Winter Nights ‘ on Saturday Dec. 12 at The British School.Heredge is the programme officer librarian at the Mountain Forum Secretariat.
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