CHORUS 2024: A Celebration of Music and Hope
CHORUS 2024, organized by the Jesus Youth Kerala Music Ministry, took place from December 27-29 at Rajagiri College of Management and Applied Sciences, Kakkanad. The event brought together over 280 participants and 100 volunteers under the tagline "Where every note resonates with Faith," combining performances, workshops, and spiritual sessions to inspire artistic and spiritual growth among Christian musicians.
The conference was officially inaugurated by Alphons Joseph, renowned music director and playback singer, alongside Fr. Simon Cheruvathur, Chaplain of Kerala Jesus Youth; Sr. Aneesha, Animator of Kerala Jesus Youth; Tom Savio, Coordinator of the Kerala Music Ministry; and Emmanuel K.P., CHORUS General Coordinator. Solemn Holy Masses were celebrated by Fr. Bibin George Thareparambil and Fr. Simon Cheruvathur on the first and second days, respectively.
CHORUS 2024 featured a range of engaging performances and sessions. Notable highlights included performances by Alphons Joseph and renowned pianist Stephen Devassy, as well as the launch of the theme song "The First Step" by the band Downtown Disciples. Inspirational keynote sessions included an address by Jith George, an international life coach, as well as sessions such as "Master and the Masterpiece" by Shegin Thomas of Shalom World Ministries, "Sing a New Song" by Shelton Pinheiro, lead singer of Rexband, and "Church and Music" by Fr. Antony Urulianickal, Director of Nadopasana. The program also included a captivating performance by the band Joyful 6.
A significant part of the event was the diverse range of workshops aimed at enhancing musical skills. Evugin Emmanuel from Vox Christi led a session on Indian singing techniques, while Elriya Elvis, also from Vox Christi, explored Western singing styles and performance. Leo Antony provided insights into digital audio workstations and sound engineering, and Ansel Francis from Downtown Disciples guided participants in melody and lyric composition. Linton D’Aruja from Rexband conducted a workshop on choir harmony, enriching participants' understanding of musical collaboration.
The final day of CHORUS 2024 featured an enriching panel discussion with prominent musicians such as Bedwin Taitus, Antony P Mathai, Linton D’Aruja, Elriya Elvis, and Tom Savio, who shared their experiences and insights on integrating faith and music. A deeply moving adoration session by Alice Mathew, combined with Stephen Devassy’s musical reflections, left a lasting spiritual impact on attendees. The event concluded with an electrifying concert by Downtown Disciples, marking a memorable finale.
Participants praised CHORUS 2024 for its ability to seamlessly blend music and faith, with many expressing deep satisfaction with the quality of workshops and keynote sessions. The event successfully inspired attendees to embrace their musical talents in service to faith.
CHORUS 2024 was a landmark event for the Jesus Youth Kerala Music Ministry, solidifying its reputation as a flagship gathering for Christian musicians. By merging artistry and spirituality, the conference left a lasting impact, encouraging participants to resonate their talents with faith and purpose. Video Link https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvNur-_t26MwhggKUJZsmx8CSAAeADgGm&feature=shared
