The Department of Western Music of Kala Academy, Goa, held its Annual Day Concert on October 1 at Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Goa.
Kala Academy, established in 1970, is Goa’s premier state-run cultural institution dedicated to promoting art and culture. The evening was a vibrant celebration of Western classical music, featuring solos, ensembles, and orchestral performances.
Harmony and Talent on Stage
The programme opened 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 led by Sir Myron Mascarenhas presented The Swan (Saint-Saëns), while Jemimah Homen and Karoline Sanfrancisco performed a pianoforte duet, Witches’ Flight (Russell).
Vanya Pereira sang Fair Robin I Love (Kirche Mechem), accompanied by Tr. Louella Fernandes. Junior string ensembles under 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 included Hungarian Dance (Brahms) by pianists Analee and Nicole Pereira, a violin duo by Adriano Braganza and Vivek Costa Frias, a voice trio (Tabitha de Mello, Janice Parras, Vinita Freitas) performing The Lark in the Morn, guitar quartets with works by Akis Filios and Lou Ward, and the Senior Choir under Tr. Preethi Coutinho performing All Star (Greg Camp) and the Konkani folk song Kunnbi Jaki (arr. Fr. Romeo Monteiro).
Applauding Talent and Vision
Clyde de Araujo, compere for the evening, said he felt honoured to serve and inspired by the dedication of the performers. He described the orchestra’s finale as breathtaking and the Gandhi tribute as moving, adding that he felt privileged to be part of an institution that promotes Western music and Goa’s cultural heritage.
Dr. Marina Vaz, Assistant Professor at Goa Medical College, called the concert a delight for classical music lovers. She highlighted Mozart’s Violin Concerto in G Major performed by the symphony orchestra under Fr. Romeo Monteiro, featuring rare instruments, and the finale Abide With Me, sung by the senior and children’s choirs, which left the audience spellbound.
Congratulating Fr. Romeo Monteiro on an exceptional evening, Fr. Steevan D’Souza SFX, Vicar General of the Society of Pilar, said the concert carried him back to Germany’s grand concert halls. He praised Goa’s musical talent and noted how such performances nurture spiritual virtues and instill discipline, teamwork, and dedication in young performers.
Juwel Pereira, a teacher at Our Lady of the Rosary High School, described it as an unforgettable privilege to be part of the concert and lauded Fr. Monteiro’s vision in organising the orchestra within a month, which brought immense joy to performers and audience alike.
Carrying Forward a Tradition Since 1952
Reflecting on the department’s rich history, Fr. Romeo Monteiro, Director of the Department of Western Music, expressed gratitude to Honourable Chairman Dr. Pramod Sawant, the Member Secretary, and the Directorate of Art and Culture for their support. He acknowledged outgoing Member Secretary Shri Arvind Khutkar and warmly welcomed new Member Secretary Shri Shankar Gaonkar.
Founded in 1952 as Academia de Musica, the department remains committed to promoting Western classical music through quality education. With 22 faculty members, Fr. Monteiro expressed hope for the regularization of lecture-based staff and appreciated parents and staff for their invaluable contribution. Prizes were distributed to meritorious students by Shri Shankar Gaonkar, who also congratulated the winners and wished them success in the future.
A Spectacular Finale with 135 Performers
The evening concluded with 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. The finale, Abide With Me (Monk), brought together the orchestra, choir, and children, nearly 135 performers on stage.
The programme was anchored by Reuella Azavedo, teacher in Electronic Keyboard, and Clyde de Araujo.
Goa Awaits More Evenings of Western Classical Music
The Annual Day Concert showcased remarkable talent and dedication, offering the audience an evening enriched by the timeless beauty of Western classical music. Goans now look forward to more such orchestral and classical music concerts.
(Malvino Alfonso, a religious Brother belonging to the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD), lives in Goa, western India. He contributes regularly to RVA and other Catholic platforms both in the country and abroad.)
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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