Basel Mission Festival of Christmas music 2011 - 2

The Basel Mission taken its name from Basel, a city on Swiss -- German border founded on September 26th, 1815 by a small group of devoted Christians at Martin's Church. The Basel Mission brought Church music to the West coast of India and established its head quarters in Mangalore.
No festival has inspired so much creative music composition, both traditional and modern as Christmas. The celebration of Christmas is incomplete without singing the familiar and well loved carols.
Basel Mission Festival of Christmas Music was founded by Mr Noel C. Noronha the then President under the umbrella of Basel Mission Christian Association (BMCA) in Bangalore, India, on December 12, 1981 with a clearly defined objective: "To promote an atmosphere of Christmas Season, pursuit of Excellence, communal harmony, brotherly love and to proclaim peace and goodwill among people which is so relevant in today's world of mistrust and fear."
The Music Festival drawing over 800 singers and interestingly it consists around 80% of non Christians ranging from 4 to 70 years, rendering classical, traditional and modern carols under the category of Kindergarten, Junior School, Senior School and the seniors consisting of College, Church and Independent choirs. The choirs that best succeeds in communicating the message of Christmas through its singing quality, evaluated by its Tonal quality, Harmony, Balance, Diction/ Phrasing, Tempo/ Rhythm and choice of music, are recognised.
Today there are choral groups galore in this city. In retrospect, it is clear that the BMCA has contributed significantly to choral music in Bangalore. It is the BMCA that nurtured many a fledging choir by providing a prestigious public platform year after year and promoting the pursuit of excellence. The countless choirs and Music Festivals in Bangalore today are a fitting tribute to the founders of Basel Mission and its Vision.
Your comments and support will inspire further. Please write to the Secretary, Basel Mission Christian Association, 7th Main; 15th Cross; Lakkasandra; Bangalore 560030 India or to E Mail: baselmission@yahoo.com

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Entertainment

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• Christmas
• Music