We are thrilled and honored to perform with the South Indian Fine Arts Academy (SIFAA).  Sadhbhavana – East Meets West takes place on Saturday June 1st at 5pm at Green Level High School in Cary. Check out this interview with Smt. Mini Ranganathan, Dr. Nathan Leaf, and Vid. Sudhindra Rao to learn about the story behind the collaboration between SIFAA and Concert Singers of Cary, and the concept of our program East Meets West.

CSC’s participation in the program includes these 5 pieces:

Shanti Mantra – performed with SIFAA, this is a beautiful, ethereal composition of the shanti (peace) mantra, composed by world renowned composer and sitar virtuoso, Ravi Shankar.

Unexpected Early Hour from A Winter Breviary – a piece from a set of three carols by Rena Esmail that trace a journey through the solstice, the longest night of the year. The music maps onto Hindustani raags (like scales in Western music) for that same time, reflecting the common ways we honor the darkness and celebrate the return of light.

Tarana – performed with SIFAA, this is another composition by world artist, Ravi Shankar. This piece is a classical representation of Hindustani music, showcasing the incredible instrumentation and vocals of Hum Sub.

Svaagat – performed with Allen Bailey on piano, this is an uplifting piece of greeting and welcome, composed by a leading figure in Indian music, Dr. Victor Paranjoti, known for his key contributions to Indian choral music.

Gitanjali Chants – performed with Allen Bailey on piano, this tender and mystical piece by western composer, Craig Hella Johnson, was written when he fell in love with the text of the Gitanjali poems by Nobel Prize winner of literature, Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore.

You do not want to miss this joyous celebration!