Soul Sounds first came into prominence as the Holy Family Convent Senior Choir, when under the guidance of Soundarie David Rodrigo, its Music Director, it won a Carol Competition in 1996. The choir has grown from strength to strength over the years, with many memorable milestones. Soul Sounds was rewarded for its hard work when it participated in the Youth Choir category, at the International Eistedfodd Festival in Llangollen, Wales in 2004. The choir performed phenomenally, achieving 1st runners-up both in the Youth Choir category as well as in the Solo category where one of its choristers, Dinushka Jayawickrema was also placed. This was the first time a choir from Sri Lanka participated at an international competition.
About Soul Sounds
Directed by well known pianist and musician, Soundarie David Rodrigo, Soul Sounds is ranked with some of the most renowned choirs in the world. Soul Sounds have enthralled many an audience both in Sri Lanka and abroad with their ability to reach out to the soul with their passionate music. This premier female ensemble, were the first choir in the
country to venture into the world of international choral music, and have been truly musical ambassadors to Sri Lanka. Their first win as a choir was at the Llangollen International Musical Eistedfodd in Wales back in 2004, where they were first runners up in the Youth Choir Category. Since then there has been no turning back.
To date, they have travelled and performed in India, China, Australia, Kuwait, Austria, France, the USA, Malaysia and South Africa. They are the only choir to record an international album, in 2004 when they were asked to record a single for a Tsunami project where Soul Sounds, shared the stage with Cliff Richard, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, Russell Watson (the famed contemporary tenor), Robin and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, Steve Winwood, Boy George, Chicago and others. Since then this choir has not merely won gold medals at the World Choir Games, but have been the only choir that has had many concert tours on invitation. They were also asked to sing for Martin Luther King Jnr, during his visit to Sri Lanka in 2010. They have released three choral albums on cd, the latest being in 2013. They have often been privileged guest performers at major functions of diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka, hence expanding their repertoire and singing in different languages. In 2015, the choir was blessed with the opportunity to sing for his Holiness Pope Francis during his visit to Sri Lanka. In the last two years they have been busy performing at many charity concert as well as other events, and have just completed this year a concert of classical music titled ‘ Midnight Music’ and a choral pop concert titled “Totally Pop”
Their repertoire expands from classical to gospel, rock & pop to world music. For these girls, singing is soul searching. Their goal is to constantly better their standards, while reaching out internationally to appeal to their growing fan base, with the aim of showcasing Sri Lankan talent to the world. The choir celebrated 10 years as a group in 2014. The choir is sponsored exclusively by Mercedez Benz- DIMO, and Fairway Holdings.
