Biography

 

THE ONLY CHOIR IN SRI LANKA & SOUTH ASIA TO WIN THE TITLE ‘WORLD CHAMPION’

 

Ranked 04th in the ‘ Top 50 Male Choirs’ in the World

 

Ranked 47th in the World, overall

 

The Revelations was founded in 1994 when a group of friends – all past pupils of their Alma Mater  S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia, joined hands to stage a male voice musical extravaganza ‘Kaleidoscope’. This programme spanned many centuries of music, from the plain song psalms of the early church, to the fabulous ‘Queen’ classic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

 

The Revelations comprising 10 voices, have the distinction of being the only choral group in Sri Lanka & South Asia to win the title ‘Champion of the World Choir Games -  in two  categories ‘Gospel & Spiritual’  and ‘Male Voice Ensemble’ together  with two Gold Medals and in addition won a Silver Medal  in the ‘Popular Choral Music Ensemble’ category, at the recently concluded World Choir Games which was held in Graz, Austria from the 09th to the 19th of July 2008.

 

The Revelations also has the distinction of making it to the Top 50 Male Choirs in the World as listed by the Musica Mundi World Ranking List, presented by the Interkultur Foundation, who are the organizers of the world’s largest choral competitions.

 

It was a momentous and uplifting experience when Sri Lanka's Lion flag was raised and its national anthem played in honour of our achievements at the Games in the presence of more than 6000 guests and participants from 441 Choirs from 93 countries present.

 

The group was also crowned as the “Category Winner and Champion of the First Asian Choir Games in the ‘Gospel  and Spiritual’  category held in Indonesia 2007.  Besides this achievement, the Revelations also won a Silver Medal in the “Sacred Music Category” and a “Gold Diploma” and the title ‘Champion of the Asian Open’, in the “Male Vocal Ensemble” Category.

The Revelations have a wide repertoire which  include, Classical, Barber Shop, Sacred, Gospel, Pop, Doo-wop and anything else in-between, while specializing in “accapella” singing and perform pieces that have harmonies for 4,5,6,7 & even 8 parts. They  released their first CD “Kaleidoscope”, which was sold out and have released two new CDs ‘Feel The Spirit” a Gospel selection and ‘Still Crazy’ a collection of pop songs in April , 2008.

Further to their debut concert at the Lionel Wendt Theatre in 1994, they have staged  many concerts i.e. “The Revelations in Concert” at the Russian Cultural Center in 2000, “An evening with The Revelations” at the Russian Cultural Center in 2001, “Programme of Sacred Music” at the Church of  St. Michael and All Angels Polwatte ,  the same year, “Good Vibrations” at the Russian Cultural Center and a repeat of the same concert at the “Lionel Wendt Theatre” and “Unfinished Business”, which was the very first performance to be staged at the recently refurbished Holy Family Convent Auditorium in 2007. In 2008 The Revelations staged their most spectacular performance ‘Sound Celebration’ at The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, to a capacity audience of over 1,400 in attendance .

To celebrate their achievements and success in The Word Choir Games, The Revelations sang  the  entire repertoire which they performed  in Graz, Austria at a Concert  “We are the Champions” in the Oak room, Cinnamon Grand  Hotel on 18th August 2008.  

Further more,  The Revelations have been invited and been the guest performers for a concert with the Popular Band Purple Rain in 1996, Concert with Damien Wickramathilake in 1997, Concert with  Desmond De Silva and the Gypsies in 1998, 150th Anniversary Celebrations of  S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia in 2001, Evening of Choral Music (for the Lionel Wendt Theatre Anniversary Celebrations) 2003, To God be the Glory -  (The Mary Anne Singers Concert and Fiesta of Gospel and Church Music to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Christ Church Galle  Face) in 2006, Rohan de Lanerolle and Soundarie David in Concert at the Lionel Wendt Theatre in 2007. They have also sung and recorded back-up vocals for Popular Jazz & Gospel artiste Natasha Ratnayake.

The group has performed at corporate events such as the “Chillies” Advertising Awards, The International Conference on Aids Awareness and Prevention, CIMA Annual Conference Opening Ceremony, Sri Lankan Airlines Long Service Awards and at the Mobitel-Techno Awards – all in the year 2007. The group has and continues to be much in demand as the Choir of choice for many couples for the solemnization of their marriage.

In the current year Revelations had the honor and privilege to perform the opening act for the world famous ‘The Platters’ featuring Monroe Powell which went on board in the first week in November for three consecutive nights at ‘Cinnamon Lakeside’ and ‘Waters Edge’. Prior to this The Revelations celebrated their 15th Anniversary with a Thanksgiving service in early September and a grand concert ‘Celebrating 15 years of Fun and Music’ at the Lionel Wendt in July. Revelations also performed at the launch of the new Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo and performed in a number of corporate events so far.

The Revelations are Directed and Conducted by Sanjeev Jayaratnam MBA, C.Eng, CITP, MBCS, BSc (Hons) (Co-founder of the group and Choral Director  since  the year 2000) who has arranged and composed music which has been performed by The Revelations, and also used as background music in small scale films. He also has the distinction of having been the Choral Director for many local productions of popular musicals and has also conducted various school and church choirs.

 

The Revelations are managed by Priyan R. De Livera - Attorney - at – Law. The current line up includes, Ishan De Lanerolle, Enaksha Fernando, Srimanthaka Senanayake, Charith Peris, Rohan De Lanerolle, Christopher Godridge, Willie Godridge, Sanoj De Mel, Hiran Seram and Krishan Jayaratnam.  

 

 

 

“Their name and its finding were intriguing and the question posed to Director/Leader, Sanjeev Jayaratnam was answered to bring about an effect of amusement. They were to sing back-up for Purple Rain in the early 90s and hadn't even come up with a name for their enthusiastic group of songsters. "We were ready to get on stage and someone came and asked 'what's your name? There was a group called 'Genesis'. We didn't have a name, so we thought since the first book in the Bible is there so why not we be called 'Revelations' which is the last book of the Bible?" reminisced Sanjeev”, Jennifer Anandanayagam, Sunday Times, 2007.

“And so they sang and sang, from the depths of their souls and the bottom of their hearts - transporting the audience through complex genres and a synthesis of voices guaranteed to give goose bumps…. the enthusiasm and excitement The Revelations imbibed from each other throughout the 1 ½ hour performance was infectious. The audience joined in, clapping their hands, tapping their toes and snapping their fingers in time to the music with animated applause at the end of each song.” Savithri Rodrigo, Sunday Times, June 2007.

"Revelations, certainly aren't afraid to experiment with, and appreciate a whole range of musical styles. From pop to classical, this all male group is an eclectic ensemble of some of the best male voices in Sri Lanka”, Rochelle Jansen, Sunday Times.

“Audiences eager to revel in the wonderful sounds of probably the best all-male ensemble in the country made sure they were present when these gifted individuals took the stage last month. Singing to an absolutely "packed" house, they entertained to the maximum, capturing the hearts of fans with their powerful and tuneful voices.” VS, Mirror Magazine, June 2007.