With the pandemic continuing into 2021, the Executive Committee conceived the idea for and coordinated the production of a celebratory video to mark the school’s 121st Founders’ Day, which we felt this would be accessible to more members, including those residing overseas.
The program consisted of a selection of hymns sung by the LC OGA Choir, a welcome by Mrs Fathima Aziz (President, LC OGA), a reading of ‘Footprints in the Sand’ by Ms Anisha Wijewardane (Publicity Secretary, LC OGA) and a prayer of thanksgiving by Mrs Eesha Speldewinde (Principal, Ladies’ College).
Founders' Day is one of the main events on the LC OGA's calendar, and, in the ordinary course of things, a choir of almost 50 Old Girl choristers rehearse in the months preceding this significant day, to lead the hymns at the service of thanksgiving in the Chapel. As this was not possible this year, 12 members of the LC OGA Choir volunteered to meet and record a few hymns for this video, despite the risks. We are grateful to these ladies who came together spontaneously for the love of singing and of our school.
The highlight of the video was a special performance by a virtual Chorale of Old Girl choristers from across the globe, of 'Messiah' which was arranged by Sureka Amerasinghe and first recorded for the CD produced by the Ladies' College choir for the school's centenary celebrations.
Mrs Christine Perera, who nurtured a love of music and singing in generations of LCites, also made a surprise appearance, to the delight of viewers. We thank Sureka Amerasinghe for her inspired direction of the LC OGA Choir and Chorale, musical arrangements and coordination of the musical items for this video.