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

After a lapse of a year, it came time for the Choristers and Debaters from the School on the Hill to meet their counterparts from the School by the Sea. The traditional Trinity-Thomian weekend took place this year on the 21st and 22nd of February at the College premises. The tradition dates back to the 1950s when Maj. Gordon Burrows of Trinity and Rev. Roy Yin of S. Thomas’ started a joint service for a time of fellowship and a yearly renewal of brotherhood between the two prestigious schools of the Anglican Church of Ceylon.  On Saturday the 21st the Thomians were warmly welcomed by the choristers of Trinity, and after lunch, took part in a combined practice at Chapel which was followed by a fellowship tea at the dining hall. The Debate  The debate has been a long-lasting tradition between the two schools, which always takes a friendly approach. This year’s debate revolved around an interesting topic where the motion was “This house proposes a world in which juries/judges can use a “not proven” verdict in criminal courts, in addition to “guilty” and “not guilty” verdicts.” Trinity proposed the motion while S. Thomas’ opposed it.  The teams were as follows, S. Thomas’ College  Trinity College Even though the two teams passed on friendly jokes across the floor, the camaraderie and the fellowship formed were unmatchable. After the debate, the traditional dinner took place at the College Main Hall. Amidst the delectable gourmet spread, were conversations of brotherhood, reflecting on the differences between the two schools, and how they unite, fueling a sense of joy, cementing the legacy between the two schools for generations to come. It is worth noting that according to custom, the Thomian Choir sang “School by the Sea” written by STC Choirmaster Rev. Roy Henry Bowyer Yin in the 1950s and the Trinity College Choir sang the “The School on the Hill” – written by TCK Choirmaster Mr. Ronald Thangiah in the 1960s. The Combined Holy Communion Service The Holy Communion Service was held the following day at 7.30 am at the Chapel with the two choirs along with the clergy from both schools. The bible readings were done by choristers of both choirs and the sermon was by the Assistant Chaplain of S. Thomas’. The musical highlight of the morning, “Lord, For Thy Tender Mercy’s Sake” by Richard Farrant was sung by both choirs as a special anthem. Naturally, the chapel was filled with the glorious voices of the combined choir of about 100 voices. The service attracted many visitors and the Trinitians particularly appreciated the presence of several parents and well-wishers who travelled all the way from S. Thomas’. The fellowship breakfast followed next with the Choirs, Heads, Chaplains and staff of both schools, after which another wonderful Trinity-Thomian weekend came to an end. As the Thomians headed back down to Colombo it was indubitable that both schools had once again instilled in themselves a greater sense of brotherhood and friendship. Carrying forward this mutual bond between the two schools, the Choristers of Trinity College hopes to visit their fellow brothers 2027, along with the debaters for another Thomian-Trinity Weekend.

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.