THE chance to use your choral singing talent for a good cause and at the same time visit two of the most beautiful states of India this autumn is being offered by a leading Belfast doctor.
Dr Sunil Paulraj, a senior neonatal specialist at the city's Royal Victoria Hospital, is the founder of Toccata, a choir made up of choral singers from Ireland and the UK, along with several professional singers and musicians from London's West End.
Through a series of concert tours throughout India and the Far East, Tocatta has raised over £1 million, funded medical tours and helped build orphanages. Over the last 12 years, the group has also performed in over 15 countries. while individually, members have performed with stars such as Elton John and Demi Lovato. Conducted by Director Colin Scott, Toccata will be singing at concerts to over 5,000 people this year.
And now Dr Paulraj, a talented tenor himself, is hoping to attract a few new voices into Toccata to join its planned concert tour of south-west India from October 28 to November 6.
"We are trying to take a multicultural choir to India to perform in Goa and Bangalore," he explained.
"What really makes the Toccata experience unique is the combination of great music for a cause and the opportunity to explore exotic foreign shores."
The auditions will be held at the MacAfee Theatre at the Royal Maternity Hospital on Friday, June 23 from 7-10pm, and the next day, Saturday, June 24 from 10am-4 pm. The tour precedes a medical tour of doctors and nurses to South Africa to support the cancer society of South Africa.
The tour gives choir members a chance to enjoy a luxury beach holiday to this beautiful part of India. While the tour is part-funded by a sponsor, the singers will have to pay a maximum of £800 towards the travel and accommodation.
:: For further information email office.toccata@gmail.com and sunil.toccata@gmail.com
