A young Adelaide voice

An Jndian-oriain sinaer is a oart of a winnina children's choir that wins an international contest

Young Adelaid e Vo ices, a choir group based in AdeJaide, recentl y won the first prize at the International Golden Gate Youth Choir festival in San Francisco during tl1eir tour of the USA.

The choir pm up a fantastic performance, as participants aged fro m 12 to 23 won gold in the Historic Contemporary and Folk categories. In tl1e four weeks they spent toming the Stares and performing in different cities, they also carried away the coveted silver medal in the World Choir Game s in Cincinnati , Ohio, where in they faced a stiff chaJJenge against ten ocher choirs groups and 600 vocalists.

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For the Ind ian community, it was an added joy as young Orton D'SihTa, a student of Sc. Francis Lockleys and a member of Young Adelaide Vo ices, ,vas a part of this jubilant winning team. Orton sings as the second alto in the 41 - member choir, and he returned ro Australia ,vith fond memories of his maiden tour to the USA wirh the choir.

Speaking ro llldian Link, Orron (12) said, " Ir was good to meet participants from other countries and see t he difference in ' culrural singing'. It was a wonderful expe rience listening to so man y different voices and languages, which brought about a unique, yet rela_,<lng atmosphere."

Describing this atmosphere the budding artist said, " It was exciting and challenging, as we were competing against 365 choirs at the World Cho ir Games in Cincinnati and 10 choirs at the Golden Gare Festival in San Francisco. Bur we ha.nclled it well with teamwork and good su pport."

O rton was full praise for the group leader Christe Anderson who worked bard w ith the group befo re tl1eir departure. "Ultimately it was hard work that paid off," said Orton, applauding the efforts of every team member for the ir dedication and involvement in each of their performances in the us.

Six otl1er choirs &om Australia participated, but it was the Young Adelaide Voices that stole the limelight during the competitions. Speaking about the performa nces of other countries at the World Choir Games, Orton asserted that the singing in differenr languages was uplifting and "So m ething to remind us chat we alJ have a voice, but it sounds much better when we sing, and sing as o n e," said Orton, adding that all participating choirs sang the World Choir Games' inrernationaJ song I ca,1

Young Orton has been inspired and influenced b y his fad, er Daniel D'Silva, who used to teach piano when rh e farniJy li ved in Dubai. However, he added that most of hi s influence was through seeing his father condu cting and playing in the church choir and at prayer meetings. O r ton began learning to play the piano at six, and began singing at seven. The first song h e sang was during a Christmas mass, where he rendered the Christmas carol, 117hen a child is bom.

"My singing was inspired through our fanul y singing at night just before going to bed , and ar our picnics and family parries", he claimed.

He has since performed at numerous concerts for his school and otlier occas ions, including a solo before a large gad1ering in LockJeys at Chrism1as.

NaturaJJy, proud parents Oli,Tia and Daniel are overjoyed with Orton's achievement.

"We beli eved in Orton's hard effort and dedication since tl1e day he was enrolled with YoLU1g Adelaide Vo ices," said Daniel D'Silva, Orton's dad " Though he had mus ic classes reguJarly h e would m ake it a point of never missing a practice session with the cho ir. He was very se rious about his role and wanted to give hi s best," be added.

Orton agreed, as preparations for d1e US competition s began &om September 2010, w itl1 the tro u pe iniriaJJy practicing twice a week, and g radualJy increasing the freq uency of the practice to four times as week. " During di e last months prior to leaving for tl1e tour we had lot o f sh ows and public performances to build our confidence and make sure that everything was up ro the mark," revealed Orton. And that hard work and dedication certainl y paid off.

So how di d this t.'llented young boy balance schoolwo r k wid1 singing, which is an extracurricular activity? "My school does encourage students to take part in such activities, and I did 11uss out on classes while doing p ublic performances and the US tour, but the principal and my teachers were very accommodating and knew that I was inclined to music," said Orton.

The taJented singer recently completed the Grade Five exam, passing w ith :Merits He also p lays jazz and classical piano, in addition to playing second trumpet for a Maltese band in Soud1 Australia.

And as a special treat ro celebrate his success, the e n tire famil y are cmrend y in l\1Iumbai, India to enjoy a bigger celebration \>.rich Orton's grandparents and famil y

Well d o ne, Orton, may yom singing continue to bring yo u joy and success.