Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly o’er the plains, and the mountains in reply echo back their joyous strain…

The angels sang and rejoiced many thousand years ago celebrating a divine birth. Aeons later the beautiful tradition of singing, making music in joyful praise and thankfulness has continued. Indeed, no matter what our faith or belief, music has been an intrinsic part of worship and celebrations, especially Christmas. With the blessed season on us it is also a time to remember all things that make life awesome and meaningful.

As church bells summon the faithful, and choirs across boundaries herald the arrival of the Yuletide Season, their joyous strains spreading the message of peace on earth and goodwill towards all mankind, we feature some of the best-known Choral groups in the country. These hugely talented minstrels, from the eight states of North-East India, have given the term ‘heavenly music’ a new meaning elevating worship to a different level!

The charming vales and hills of Northeast India are alive and reverberate with the sound of their music that blends in heavenly harmony to spread the message of unity and love. Home to some of the best voices in the country, the eight states of Northeast India can with certain pride claim the ‘numerouno’ status for its vast cache of talent that is doing the country proud the world over.

The Northeast has always been popularly known as the country’s ‘rock capital’ with numerous internationally acclaimed bands to its credit. But the region’s versatility has found expression in another genre and yet again managed to move hearts on the international fora -- the choir. Deeply rooted in the church and gospel music of the region, choral groups have undergone a remarkable metamorphosis to revolutionize music. By bringing together aspects of spiritual and popular music, such as popular Bollywood numbers, the choirs of the Northeast have not only embraced the idea of unity, but have successfully used their creativity to express it musically.

No exaggeration then to say that the Northeast is a land of musicians -- rightly famous as a place where a guitar-strumming youth is a common sight. Born with the gift of music, possibly owing to the wealth of folk songs of their ancestors and gospel music sung at church, there is plenty of untapped potential in terms of musical genius.
Here are some such musicians who have been doing what they do best:

Shillong Chamber Choir

The Shillong Chamber Choir rose to fame after winning the national reality TV show “India’s Got Talent” in 2009, but it was back in 2001 that Neil Nongkynrih founded the musical group. Already stationed as a concert pianist in Europe, Nongkynrih returned to India after 13 years and realised his destiny for greater things. Chance and destiny played a decisive role in the lives of many of the members, most of whom came to Neil Nongkynrih as young students who simply were there for the love of music.  And none of them ever envisioned their future as being part of a choir that would go on to perform in front of the President of India and even of the United States!

The Choir lives together and practices music as a family, under Nongkynrih’s paternal guidance. Their lives have been about sacrifice and discipline -- with most of the members joining as teens. Despite their tender age, members have bravely chosen the choir over their individual studies, being away from their families and hometowns, to tour the world or to practise under the same roof in Shillong. Possibly as a result of this upbringing, the Choir has an aura of humility that reflects in their performances, especially of patriotic songs such as the rendition of VandeMataram, which was performed on the stage of the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Nongkynrih was able to intersperse the spiritual soul of Western-influenced choral music with the essence of the national song in what became the biggest opening acts of the nationally-televised TV show.

In addition to collaborations with the biggest names in India, such as Shankar Ehsaan Loy, UstadZakir Hussain and UshaUthup, the Shillong Chamber Choir has represented the many faces of our country on international fora as well. At the 6th World Choir Games held in Shaoxing, China, they were awarded gold diplomas in three categories: Musica-Sacra (sacred music), Gospel (medley of gospel songs) and Popular (medley of Bollywood and English numbers). In the 2nd World Choir Games, held in South Korea in 2002, the choir won a silver award for the Folklore category, an achievement in itself since the choir prioritises not only the preservation, but also the promotion, of their roots that lie in traditional folk music of the North-East tribes. Even on their numerous concert tours across India, Europe, the UK, Canada, North America and South East Asia, the group performs Khasi songs in an attempt to revive and introduce Khasi folk music to the world.

The Nagaland Chamber Choir (TNCC)

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Although choral music resonates throughout the Northeast, efforts to legitimise and popularise the genre is most deeply felt in the state of Nagaland. Here, formal training in classical Western music has been introduced in the school curriculum to provide accessibility to the many youngsters who develop a keen interest in the subject from an early age. With government and church backing, the atmosphere in Nagaland has allowed for blossoming of the most polished choirs of the country. The Nagaland Chamber Choir (TNCC), considered to be the oldest professional choral group in Nagaland, is setting the benchmark of excellence in singing, performance and promotion of choral music.

Modern music in Nagaland can be identified by elements of folk music that imbues the sound with an individualistic character. The group performs myriad choral pieces with music derived from folk tunes belonging to the different Naga tribes of Lotha, Sumi, Chakhesang etc. Interestingly, their performances are not limited to music inspired from local tribes, they are known to perform a wide range of the most difficult quintessential choral compositions with equal verve.

A pioneer in showcasing the State’s musical talent, the Nagaland Chamber Choir has been invited to events around the country where they have successfully achieved the two-fold result- of promoting traditional, as well as, choral music. At the National Choral Festival ‘SwarSudha’ organised in Lucknow by the SangeetNatak Academy North East Centre in 2016, the NCC’s performance received a standing ovation from the most well-accomplished musicians of the nation, validating their finesse and reputation. The Nagaland Chamber Choir has previously participated in the 4th Asia Pacific Choir Games and Grand Prix of the nation which was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Representing India in two categories --- Gospel/Spiritual and Folklore Acapella, they competed and won Silver Medals in both the categories at the Asia Pacific Championship. In addition, the Choir also won Golden Diplomas securing direct entry to the 5th Asia Pacific Champion Competition to be held in 2021.

Ao Naga Choir

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Based in the National Capital Delhi, the Ao Naga Choir has brought with them the legacy of soulful choral music that enriches Nagaland. Formed in the year 2009, the members are residents of Delhi, predominantly belonging to the Ao Naga tribe of Nagaland. The choir, which was assembled by LanuYaden, began as an initiative to fulfill church and community responsibilities. However, their work has expanded to other fields such as undertaking various programs in choral-music education in different schools and institutions.

The Ao Naga Choir performed at the SPIC MACAY at Kochi, Kerala in 2018. Without any musical accompaniment, the group performed acapella versions of traditional Naga, as well as, Western compositions. Although, from one of the major Naga tribes, the singers donned the traditional attires of the different groups present in Nagaland. For their efforts in promoting peace and culture, the group visited Vienna to receive the ‘Angel of Peace Award’ at the World Peace Choral Festival.

Steadily making their mark in the music scene, the Ao Naga Choir has already performed thrice for the President of India and twice for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Having performed in various parts of India and Europe, the group is becoming an increasingly prominent ambassador of the music of Nagaland and the rest of North-East India.

Nagaland Conservatory of Music Choir

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The Nagaland Conservatory of Music, started by James ShikiyeSwu and LipokmarTzudir, is a full-fledged institution offering training in music and performance --- the standards of which are comparable with the best conservatories around the world.

The Music Choir is a performance wing of the Conservatory, led by SangeetNatakAkademi's 'UstadBismillah Khan YuvaPuraskar' awardee LipokmarTzudir. Considered one of the finest conductors in the country, LipokmarTzudir is a living testimony of how integral music is to the youth of Nagaland, and how choirs are helping to change and shape the way of life and living.

Coming from a less-than affluent family which wanted to provide its children with a decent education, Lipok had never have envisioned a future as a professional musician. A passionate but untrained musician, at the age of 21 he took a leap of faith and went on to pursue his Bachelor of Music, in conducting and composition, at Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music, Philippines. He completed his Masters in Ethnomusicology from the University of Sheffield, UK. Despite a delayed entry into formal training, Lipokmar made a name for himself by starting the Mokokchung Chancel Choir comprising singers who had raw talent but absolutely no formal training --- proving that passion and hard work goes a long way.

So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that his new venture with James Swu is targeted at transforming music from merely a “hobby” to a full-fledged professional subject of study. Some of the students of the Nagaland Conservatory of Music, selected to form the Chancel Choir in 2010, were young students while others were government and church officials. Given the diversity of the members’ backgrounds, they perform across genres ranging from old-school rock to modern pop and are perpetually experimenting with new ideas  like the creative use of vocals to produce percussion sounds!

The choir has performed at major festivals across the country and have been invited to perform abroad. However, its greatest legacy is possibly the doors of opportunity that the Nagaland Conservatory of Music has opened in the state.

Mizo Cardinal Choir

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Hailing from the state of Mizoram, the Mizo Cardinal Choir was founded by C. Zodingliana on 28th August 2012. Although a new entrant in the choral music scene, the Mizo Cardinal Choir has already performed on international stages and won several accolades. A rich offering from yet another NE State that is brimming with musical talent, even in its early years, the choir managed to win accolades including a shiny Silver medal, won at the world’s biggest international choir competition in 2017. Of all the choirs that were representing a whopping 295 countries at the World Choir Games at Tshwane City in South Africa, the Mizoram Choir was adjudged Runner-up in the ‘mixed chamber choirs’ category during the champions final round.

Another testament to the achievements and swift progress of the Mizo Cardinal Choir was their performance at the 4th Asia-Pacific Choir Games of 2017 held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Conducted by LalsanglianaRalte, they won the Grand Prix Gold medal among the Chamber Choir/Vocal Ensembles in the Children’s Choir section. Entry to the Asia-Pacific level requires a gold diploma in the Open category, and a second gold in the Asia-Pacific level grants entry to the Grand Prix level. The Mizo Choir managed to get a gold ranking in all the three levels.

Aroha Junior Choir

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Earlier in March 2018, the Aroha Junior Choir group had been relying on the generosity of others to rustle up enough funds to send the team to the prestigious 71st Choral Competition in UK’s Llangollen. The next when we heard about the student choir group in July, they had already snagged the top position at the major international music festival, prevailing over teams from the US, UK, Wales and Canada.

The mature sound of this group would easily have one believe that the members had received training for as many years as they have lived. Consisting of school students from various schools, communities and churches within Shillong, the choral music education program was founded by Pauline Warjri to nurture the budding musical talent in the region with an emphasis on spirituality and goodwill. Apart from their participation in the church, these little singers with the big voices have come to make a change in the world. Armed with music of such finesse and promise, it is not an understatement to dub the Aroha Junior Choir as the “little sibling” of the well-established Shillong Chamber Choir! They have channeled their gift to contribute to society in extraordinary ways; campaigning for environmental-consciousness and raising funds for schools, churches and hospitals.

The Aroha Junior Choir is evidence that age is no barrier to having a positive effect on the community, while also highlighting the deep-seated and cathartic passion of the people of the North-East for music.

BESY Choir

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The BESY choir owes its origins to Mizoram and was founded in 1981 by the Youth Committee of The Bible Society of India, Aizawl Auxiliary. The Choir’s name is an acronym for “Bible Society”, and staying true to its roots this group mainly focuses on sacred music.

A hallmark of BESY choir is its remarkable social media presence. The choir’s rendition of the hymn “He Hideth My Soul”, has garnered over four million views on their Youtube channel with comments often enquiring about the origin and ethnicity of the group.

With the decisive role that social media plays in today’s age, the increasing millions of views that the video has received is comparable to performing on an international stage. Upon a quick Google search on the group, a list of related Google searches show-up, mostly concerned with the origin of the group. Once the listeners’ interest is piqued they are introduced to these lesser-known lands, redirected to and acquainted with the other gems that their music, heritage and landscapes have to offer. Needless to say, Aizawl’s BESY Choir has put Mizoram firmly on the musical map, captivating the attention of international fans not just in terms of music but in terms of the diversity of the country.