Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
MANAMA Singers, one of Bahrain’s oldest multicultural community choirs, is set to spread festive cheer with its much-awaited dinner musical show on December 5.
The annual event is one of the choir’s most popular acts and this year, around 27 singers from the group will present a selection of Christmas carols and songs, from classics like Ding Dong Merrily On High to modern tunes like Sleigh Ride.
The audience will enjoy an immersive experience especially with the choir’s tradition of the interactive Twelve Days of Christmas carol.
Each table at the venue will be assigned a number from one to 12. When the ‘second day of Christmas’ is being sung, for instance, table number two will stand up and sing the part. They will also sing the ‘first day of Christmas’ bit, in keeping with the successive days’ pattern of the song, joined by table number one, and so on and so forth.
British expatriate and music teacher at St Christopher’s School Louisa Danmeri will conduct the choir, along with Kelly Parker who has extensive experience singing and leading choirs in her church community.
“This is the first time I am conducting the Manama Singers choir and I look forward to this experience with Kelly,” the 43-year-old told GulfWeekly.
“Over the years, the group has built a wide repertoire of carols and songs. This year, in addition to popular favourites, we will also have some new songs,” the soprano from Saar, who has been part of Manama Singers since February, added.
Louisa moved to Bahrain with her husband and two young kids this year and it was a steep transition from Japan where they had lived for eight years. Manama Singers presented itself to her as a ‘community lifeline’, helping her settle in.
“Music is a great way to bond and make friends and Manama Singers really took me into their fold,” she said.
The community choir celebrated their golden jubilee two years ago and currently comprises 51 singers, ranging from 28 to 78 years, across a wide range of nationalities, including English, Welsh, Scottish, Irish, French, Italian, German, Swiss, Swedish, American, Indian, Pakistani, Malaysian, Kiwi (New Zealand), Jordanian, Lebanese and Zambian.
Austrian expat Tanja Kuttnig joined the group just a month ago, but has been enjoying her weekly meetups with the talented lot. She was part of a music group back home before moving to Bahrain seven years ago.
“I met a choir member in my building’s play area who told me about Manama Singers. In the beginning, it was difficult to find my melody but with the support of my fellow singers, it got easier,” the 34-year-old alto singer added.
Sopranos have the ‘main melody’ and altos sing in a deeper register, which can get tricky, but Tanja was determined to find her voice. The Reef Island resident is excited about the upcoming show, her first with the group, and looks forward to the experience.
Longstanding member and soprano Sadaf Karim shared how joining the group helped her rekindle a lifelong passion for music.
“I’ve always been passionate about music and have a formal degree in the field from Minnesota University,” the 50-year-old, who has been living in Bahrain for the last 18 years, noted.
“However, life took its course. Joining the choir after a 10-year gap got me back to studying music and learning how to play instruments,” she added.
The festive dinner show will be hosted at the Blue Moon Marquee (tent) at Dilmun Club in Saar, starting 7pm.
Diners will enjoy a four-course meal set against an upbeat musical backdrop. Those interested can purchase tickets at the club’s reception for BD18.800net.
Manama Singers and Bahrain Jazz Orchestra will play all the holiday classics at the British Club’s Christmas Tree Lighting event tomorrow, from 7pm.
For more details, follow @manamasingers on Instagram.
