Over the years, Mind Your Music has become one of the occasions on which the Trinity College Choir explores a particularly broad range of music, from different periods, genres and styles. The concert is recorded to have begun in the 1970s and continued on and off through the 1980s and 1990s. In recent years, due to popular demand and the Choir’s busy schedule, Mind Your Music has become a biennial event.
Mind Your Music concerts are themed events. Each theme is selected after consideration of its suitability and emphasizing openness to different styles of music as they evolve over the years. Recent editions of MYM have featured themes such as “Plainsong to Pop”, “Rhymes to Rhapsody”, “Musicals to Movies”, “Jingles to Jazz” and the most recent “Classics to Chart-Hits”. The songs and artists featured in each concert are selected through careful research and consideration, ensuring that every choice contributes meaningfully to the overall theme.
Beyond presenting a varied programme to its audience, Mind Your Music gives the choristers an opportunity to explore music beyond the traditional choral repertoire. Performing works from different periods and genres allows them to appreciate contrasting musical styles and performance practices. Many of the pieces are specially arranged to suit the character and strengths of the Choir, making each edition of the concert distinctive.
The 2026 edition of Mind Your Music was performed by the Trinity College Choir on the evening of September 19th at the college main hall. Under the theme “Romantics to Rock ‘n’ Roll”, the concert celebrated a unique collection of compositions that was defined by a rapidly evolving industrial, geopolitical, and social landscape, which brought forth works rich with passion, drama, and lyrical beauty.
The carefully curated programme took the audience on a musical journey through the decades. The programme began with the Mind Your Music Theme, inspired by the theme tune of the famous British sitcom “Mind Your Language”.
A duet then presents “So Deep is the Night” (1939), followed by a trio rendition of the traditional sea shanty “The Mermaid” (c.1751). “Just a Song at Twilight (Love’s Old Sweet Song)” (1884) was performed by a quartet, accompanied by the Choir, followed by a trio rendition of “Yellow Bird” (1957, which brought a light Caribbean feel. A quartet then presented “All My Loving” (1963), followed by a trio rendition of the early rock and roll number “Runaway” (1961). A soloist then performed “What a Wonderful World” (1967), before moving to a duet rendition of “Gamen Liyumak Awilla” (c.1981).
After the short break, the concert resumed with a duet performance of “Tharuda Nidana Maha Ra” (1991), presented as a tribute to the late Dr. Nanda Malini, and featured a violin accompaniment played by a chorister. A duet then presented “Tequila Sunrise” (1973), followed by a quartet performance of “How Deep is Your Love” (1977. The concert then continued with duet renditions of “The Gambler”(1978), “Could You Be Loved”(1980), “Down Under”(1981), “Road to Hell”(1989), “Heal the World”(1991), “Stuck on You”(1960), and “Sway”(2003), with its Latin influence, featured a violin accompaniment by a chorister. The main selection concluded energetically with a duet performance of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (1979).
The evening was not quite over and still had a few surprises. The Choir invited the Choirmaster to deliver an impromptu rendition of “My Way” (1969). Finally, a quartet then returned for an encore performance of “Kandy Lamissi” (1977), bringing the concert to a lively close.
The Trinity College Choir not only develops accomplished choristers but also encourages instrumental musicianship. Choristers have the privilege of performing alongside highly accomplished musicians, while the wide range of choral music they encounter further enriches their musical development. Those who develop their instrumental skills to a high standard are also given opportunities to perform with the Choir.
Special recognition was also given to the Choirmaster, all staff members, Media Unit and musicians who were pivotal to the success of the concert. Above all, the choristers of the Trinity College Choir deserve appreciation for their outstanding performance and their service in all spiritual and holy aspects of this sacred institution.
Mind Your Music 2026 was an enjoyable event that reflected the versatility, discipline and musical range of the Trinity College Choir. The concert moved from the expressive character of the earlier repertoire to a more energetic and lively second half, giving the evening a stronger sense of progression in keeping with the theme “Romantics to Rock ‘n’ Roll”. Supported by the dedication of the staff, musicians, students, and all those who worked behind the scenes, the concert once again showed the Choir’s ability to move comfortably across different musical styles while maintaining a high standard of performance.
Yesterday’s program was wonderful as always, upholding the amazing standard we’ve come to love. If there’s one small wish to top off an already fantastic evening, it would just be having a few more sing-alongs at the end, like Kandy Lamissi, to wrap up the night together!
~ A staff member
Although this wasn’t the first Mind Your Music show I’ve been to, this show never ceases to amaze me. Tonight’s show was an exciting and captivating display of musical talent and showmanship. I really enjoyed the choir’s confidence, energy, and overall, a fun and inviting vibe which truly brought the performance to life and made it a memorable evening for me.
~An old boy
For me, Mind Your Music was an absolute masterclass in versatility. I loved seeing our Choir tackling demanding arrangements with incredible talent, from Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson to cultural classics by Clarence Wijewardana and Nanda Malini. With electric crowd energy and everyone singing along, seeing our community celebrate that level of excellence was truly exhilarating.
~A prefect
Everyone came expecting to witness a marvelous performance, but these lads gave us something above and beyond our expectations. Adding to the fact that they perfectly found the balance between keeping the original version intact with a bit of their own twist they managed to give us nothing short of an experience we’ll never forget.
Hats off, can’t wait till next time!
~An upper school student
From the very moment the Choristers took the stage until their final song, every note, every harmony and every performance was simply breathtaking. The exquisite balance of voices, song selection and musical arrangements made the entire program captivating and beautifully polished. A magnificent, memorable and thoroughly mesmerizing evening of music!
~A parent
By Savith Ratnaweera
