The Bahrain Malayalee C S I Parish Choir
As the Church of South India inherited from Anglican Church, we have a rich and inspiring tradition of Church Choir. Church services are augmented by the Choir as most sections of the liturgy are set to music. Consequently, the Choir is an integral part of the CSI Service. The choristers, dressed in cassock and surplice, dedicated themselves to submit their talented voices to glorify the Lord Almighty.
The Bahrain Malayalee CSI Parish Choir had its humble beginnings in 1968 when the Bahrain Malayalee CSI group was formed and Mr. J.E Mathews (Cuckoo) was the first Choir Master and organist. Over the years the choir has flourished with committed and talented individuals at its helm, namely Mr. Ravi, Mr. Nath, Mr. Richard Thomas, Mr. Das, Mr. Eipe, Mr. William Solomon, Mr. Rajiv Chandy, Mr. Thomas Jacob, Mr. Eapen Koshy, and Mr. Ajith Babu. Presently the choir is led by Mr. Shajimon Christudas.
The regular Choir practices are conducted on Friday evenings. It consists of 3 sessions.
- Voice training, voice modulation & breathing exercises.
- Learning new songs.
- Practicing songs for the church services in the coming week.
Every session starts & ends with a word of prayer. Extra practice sessions conducted whenever necessary.
The choir celebrates one of the Sundays in October as Choir Sunday which is preceded by the Choir Retreat. Re-dedication of the choristers & dedication of new members held during Choir Sunday Service.
Our Choir had decided to step into Charity & Missionary support from the year 2008.
A junior choir was formed in order to train the children to become valuable Choristers. Here they will be training on voice, music notations and songs. The CSI Choir traditions as well as the discipline in the choir also included in the training sessions.
The choir governed by the choir committee. Annual general body meeting conducted every year.
The Church choir lead the Christmas Carol Service, participate in the various ecumenical festivals and services at various churches on the island. It has 60 committed and dedicated members who are blessed as they lift their voices to praise the Lord.