Meghalaya’s rich music makes India proud on global stage: Akbar

SHILLONG: Minister of State for External Affairs, M J Akbar on Tuesday said that Meghalaya’s rich music was making a name for the state and the country throughout the world.
Talking to media persons here on Tuesday, he said that it’s already happening as the choirs here were now very much part of Indian Council for Cultural Relations international music and cultural diplomacy.
It may be mentioned that Shillong Chamber Choir has brought laurels to the state on several occasion by winning and performing in different countries of the world.
The Shillong Chamber Choir, founded in 2001 by Neil Nongkynrih is a multi-genre choir which won the reality TV show India’s Got Talent in 2010.
The same year also saw the choir being awarded three gold awards at the 6th World Choir Games for Musical Sacra, Gospel and Popular Music. They also performed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for visiting US President Barak Obama and Michelle Obama.
Recently, Aroha Junior Choir won the top marks (91) in the International A Capella Group category in Wales
The choir has students from various schools, communities and churches in Shillong, with a repertoire ranging from sacred, classical music, the folk music of India and of diverse nationalities, regions and cultures, secular works, to contemporary popular and jazz songs