A young Adelaide voice

An Indian-origin singer is a part of a winning children’s choir that wins an international contest

BY FRANKEY GERARD FERNANDES

Young Adelaide Voices, a choir group based in Adelaide, recently won the first prize at the International Golden Gate Youth Choir festival in San Francisco during their tour of the USA.

The choir put up a fantastic performance, as participants aged from 12 to 23 won gold in the Historic Contemporary and Folk categories. In the four weeks they spent touring the States and performing in different cities, they also carried away the coveted silver medal in the World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio, where in they faced a stiff challenge against ten other choirs groups and 600 vocalists.

For the Indian community, it was an added joy as young Orton D’Silva, a student of St. Francis Lockleys and a member of Young Adelaide Voices, was a part of this jubilant winning team. Orton sings as the second alto in the 41-member choir, and he returned to Australia with fond memories of his maiden tour to the USA with the choir.

Speaking to Indian Link, Orton (12) said, “It was good to meet participants from other countries and see the difference in ‘cultural singing’. It was a wonderful experience listening to so many different voices and languages, which brought about a unique, yet relaxing atmosphere.”

Describing this atmosphere the budding artist said, “It was exciting and challenging, as we were competing against 365 choirs at the World Choir Games in Cincinnati and 10 choirs at the Golden Gate Festival in San Francisco. But we handled it well with teamwork and good support.”

Orton was full praise for the group leader Christe Anderson who worked hard with the group before their departure. “Ultimately it was hard work that paid off,” said Orton, applauding the efforts of every team member for their dedication and involvement in each of their performances in the US.

Six other choirs from Australia participated, but it was the Young Adelaide Voices that stole the limelight during the competitions. Speaking about the performances of other countries at the World Choir Games, Orton asserted that the singing in different languages was uplifting and relaxing. “Something to remind us that we all have a voice, but it sounds much better when we sing, and sing as one,” said Orton, adding that all participating choirs sang the World Choir Games’ international song I can

Young Orton has been inspired and influenced by his father Daniel D’Silva, who used to teach piano when the family lived in Dubai. However, he added that most of his influence was through seeing his father conducting and playing in the church choir and at prayer meetings. Orton began learning to play the piano at six, and began singing at seven. The first song he sang was during a Christmas mass, where he rendered the Christmas carol, When a child is born.

“My singing was inspired through our family singing at night just before going to bed, and at our picnics and family parties”, he claimed.

He has since performed at numerous concerts for his school and other occasions, including a solo before a large gathering in Lockleys at Christmas.

Naturally, proud parents Olivia and Daniel are overjoyed with Orton’s achievement.

“We believed in Orton’s hard effort and dedication since the day he was enrolled with Young Adelaide Voices,” said Daniel D’Silva, Orton’s dad. “Though he had music classes regularly he would make it a point of never missing a practice session with the choir. He was very serious about his role and wanted to give his best,” he added.

Orton agreed, as preparations for the US competitions began from September 2010, with the troupe initially practicing twice a week, and gradually increasing the frequency of the practice to four times as week. “During the last months prior to leaving for the tour we had lot of shows and public performances to build our confidence and make sure that everything was up to the mark,” revealed Orton. And that hard work and dedication certainly paid off.

So how did this talented young boy balance schoolwork with singing, which is an extracurricular activity? “My school does encourage students to take part in such activities, and I did miss out on classes while doing public 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 talented singer recently completed the Grade Five exam, passing with Merits. He also plays jazz and classical piano, in addition to playing second trumpet for a Maltese band in South Australia. And as a special treat to celebrate his success, the entire family are currently in Mumbai, India to enjoy a bigger celebration with Orton’s grandparents and family.

Well done, Orton, may your singing continue to bring you joy and success.