PANAJI
The Department of Western Music of the Kala Academy Goa organised its Annual Day Concert at the Kala Academy on October 1, presenting a colourful evening of Western classical music featuring solos, ensembles, and orchestral performances.
The programme began with the Junior Choir singing ‘Butterfly’ (Andy Beck) under Tr Dynisha Abreu, followed by Felix Vaz on keyboard with Mozart’s ‘Turkish March’.
A Guitar Ensemble under Sir Myron Mascarenhas presented ‘The Swan’ (Saint-Saëns), while Jemimah Homen and Karoline Sanfrancisco played a pianoforte duet, ‘Witches’ Flight’ (Russell). Vanya Pereira sang ‘Fair Robin I Love’ (Kirche Mechem), accompanied by Tr. Louella Fernandes.
Junior string ensembles led by Trs Gorette Pinheiro and Frederika Cotta performed works by Mazas, Stamitz, Bach, and Smetana. Solos included Chris Vaz (Guitar-Capriccio, Mertz), Kristine Sanfrancisco (Pianoforte-Serenata Andaluza, De Falla), and Natasha Pereira (Violin-Spring, Vivaldi) with Tr Ranisa Azavedo on piano.
Other highlights were Brahms’ ‘Hungarian Dance’ by pianists Analee and Nicole Pereira, a violin duo by Adriano Braganza and Vivek Costa Frias, a voice trio (Tabitha de Mello, Janice Parras, and Vinita Freitas) with ‘The Lark in the Morn’, Guitar Quartets with pieces by Akis Filios and Lou Ward, and the Senior Choir under Tr Preethi Coutinho performing ‘All Star’ (Greg Camp) accompanied by Tr Louella Ferandnes and the Konkani folk song ‘Kunnbi Jaki’ (arr. Fr Romeo Monteiro).
Fr Romeo Monteiro, Director of the Department of Western Music, expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister and Kala Academy Chairman Pramod Sawant, the member secretary, and the Directorate of Art and Culture for their continued support.
He also acknowledged the outgoing Member Secretary Arvind Khutkar for his assistance during the transition from the Adil Shah premises, while warmly welcoming the new Member Secretary Shankar Gaonkar.
Fr Monteiro highlighted that the Department, founded in 1952 as Academia de Musica, remains committed to promoting Western classical music through quality education.
With 22 faculty members, he expressed hope for the regularisation of lecture-based staff and appreciated the parents and staff for their invaluable contribution to the event’s success.
Prizes were distributed to the meritorious students at the hands of Shankar Gaonkar, member secretary of Kala Academy.
In his address, Gaonkar congratulated the prize winners and extended his best wishes for their future endeavours.
The evening concluded a grand finale by the Kala Academy Symphony Orchestra.
Conducted by Fr Romeo Monteiro, who is also the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, the orchestra performed Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major with soloist Rhea Dias, and ended with a stirring ‘Abide with Me’ (Monk), featuring orchestra, choir, and children — nearly 135 performers together on stage.
Reuella Azavedo, a teacher in Electronic Keyboard and Clyde de Araujo, student of the Department of Western Music anchored the whole programme.
