by Father Ranson D'Souza for BISMumbai

Dominic Savio Boys' Home Andheri-Mumbai has made a name for itself over the years past, winning accolades for its musical virtuosity, honed under the skilled baton of different Kapellmeisters. This Christmas Eve on 24 December 2019, under the dirigent baton of Father Edward D'Souza, remarkably aided by Haydn Dias, the brass band and the 'DS Boys in Harmony' choir were privileged to perform at Hyatt Regency, one of the foremost 5-Star luxury hotels located minutes away from the Mumbai Airport.

A two-voice Christmas Carols choral rendition culminating in a dance display of Feliz Navidad, mesmerised the awed audience, no end. Close on the heels of the choral ensemble, the brass band stepped on to charge up the atmosphere with 12 pieces including popular Christmas Carols and other foot-stomping numbers - Rockin' On Home, Choral and Allegro, and La Bamba.

The international audience, witness to these amazing displays of the 13-manned brass band and the choir group, were so thoroughly dazzled that many of the performances were posted as Live Instagram Feeds. Some of these, including the staff of Hyatt, wanted 'selfies' with the boys as an act of appreciation, almost according them celebrity status.

After this successful venture, Father D'Souza remarked, "the entire event was a great learning experience for the boys as they had, for the first time, stepped into any luxurious environment. Apart from performing, they also learnt something of the functioning of this magnificent hotel, with a few even considering a possible career in hospitality in the near future."

It was, indeed, a very thrilling, joyous and enriching Christmas Eve for the young Savions, eager and hungry for more.

The YouTube link of the performances can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2T8qOwk3TJ5HQ5OGFkb3GHXhaT_QgCCg