Article By – Ian Etugala, Sathnidu Dissanayake, Yashwin Fernando and Kashyapa Athauda.
Sunday, the 2nd of March, was a day of particular significance for the Choristers. In the early hours of the Feast of the Transfiguration, the Choristers awaited eagerly to welcome a special guest.
It was none other than Mr. Peter Ananda Burrows, son of late Major Gordon Burrows, the storied Vice Principal and Choirmaster of our school. Mr. Burrows, together with his family—his wife, two sons, and daughter-in-law—had traveled from England to visit Sri Lanka, particularly Mr. Burrows’ old haunts.
As the choir lined up outside the south door for the procession, a taxi drove up the Chapel drive from which stepped out the Burrows family.
Mr. Burrows (or so we guessed, from the familiarity of surroundings he displayed) sprightly approached the Choristers lined up, as if he did it every Sunday of his life, while his family took their seats in the Chapel. The Choristers greeted him warmly as he shook hands with some of the older boys, pausing to ask one of them whether the college tie he was wearing was really necessary, joking that he would prefer not to wear one. At that very moment, all those nearby realised that this English gentleman, whether through his manner of speech or the way he greeted the Choristers, as though he had always been among us, truly felt at home here.
The Choristers, along with Mr. Burrows, proceeded into the Choir Stalls, and the service began with Mr. Burrows singing Bass with the Choristers. One of the highlights of the service was a special anthem sung by the Choir, with Mr. Burrows singing the solo part. The piece was Three Kings by Peter Cornelius, Philip Nicolai, and Ivor Atkins (deciding we were not too far away from Epiphany), sung in place of the Gradual. Mr. Burrows also read the day’s Gospel, and the service continued in its usual form.
Once the final hymn was sung and the service had ended, the Choristers and the Burrows family enjoyed a cup of tea and a sandwich on the Chapel lawn. After tea, the Choristers returned to the Chapel, where the Choirmaster invited Mr. Peter Burrows to share a few life experiences with them.
Mr. Burrows then spoke about his early days at Trinity as a young boy with a not-so-British accent and how he had pleaded with his father for a place in the choir. He mentioned how his father was so fond of Sri Lanka and Trinity that he named his Children Peter Ananda, Michael Rohan, and Alison Shriyani. Sadly, he had to leave for England before his career as a chorister could take off. However, his journey in music continued, and he fulfilled his dream of singing in many prestigious schools and cathedrals as a student and young adult.
He specifically recalled how his singing teacher in college once told him, “I wouldn’t go into singing if I were you. There’s no money in it.” It seems that Mr. Burrows disregarded this advice, as he pursued a career in classical singing. However, he did take the warning to some extent and decided that working behind the scenes in coordination was a safer bet. Thus, he worked at a concert hall for seventeen years while singing as a substitute in choirs whenever opportunities arose.
He also spoke of a small singing group he had joined—one that, upon realising their formidable talent, gave themselves the name The Sixteen and went on to become professional singers. By providence or otherwise, Mr. Burrows became a founding member of this esteemed group. He did not forget to remind the young Choristers that all great things in life come to those who are willing to take risks, especially in the arts.
After sharing memories of his time at Trinity and his life journey, Mr. Burrows was presented what would be the last remaining copy of the Trinity College Choir’s CD ‘Carols from Trinity – What Sweeter Music’ by the Choirmaster. Afterwards, he had friendly chats with several Choristers. He was then taken on a tour of the Chapel by the Choristers and later joined them for a brief game of Tap Rugby.
Following a group photograph with the Choristers, Mr. Burrows bid them farewell and went on to visit his old home, The Alison House, expecting to visit the rest of the school and Asgiriya Ground as well.
Mr. Peter Burrows now works professionally as the organiser of The Oxford International Song Festival (formerly the Oxford Lieder Festival prior to 2023) a UK-based classical music festival, specialising in the art-song repertoire.
