The cultural tapestry of Bengaluru is set to be enriched with melodious strains as the Bangalore City Chamber Orchestra (BCCO) gears up for its latest series of performances, commencing in Bengaluru before gracing Goa with a complimentary concert. On February 29, the ensemble will perform within the hallowed walls of St Michael’s Church in Taleigao, Goa. This anticipated event arrives courtesy of the Philomena Thumboochetty Music Academy, supported by esteemed partners including The Embassy Group, Puravankara, Furtados Music, IMAS, and 360 One.
Established in 2018, the BCCO is the brainchild of Arun Rozario, a virtuoso violinist based in Bengaluru, and his partner Tanisha Herbert, along with conductor Joris Decolvenaer and the revered Late Sanya Myla Cotta. Arun, an alumnus of Visvesvaraya Technological University with broad exposure to both engineering and music, has been a connoisseur and proponent of high-quality music education from a young age.
With extensive learning experiences under esteemed mentors in India, the United States, and Germany, Arun’s vision was to craft a training hub in Bengaluru specialized in Western classical music. “I’ve had the fortune to be tutored by eminent educators,” Arun remarks from his Horamavu residence. After honing his craft overseas, the magnetic pull of his hometown prompted his return, with a mission to cultivate and nurture local musical talent.
The inception of BCCO marked a crescendo in Arun’s commitment to providing a stage for both seasoned professionals and emerging artists from India and around the globe. The VioVoi Music Academy, founded by Arun in 2017, has collaborated with renowned institutions like the Philomena Thumboochetty Music Academy and the International Music and Art Society (IMA) based in Mysuru, all rallying in support of the arts.
By transcending cultural divides, Arun believes music serves as a universal language that seamlessly melds Indian and Western classical forms. Instruments like the violin, piano, and guitar, although Western in origin, are now integral to the cultural mélange of Indian music and cinema.
Arun’s credentials are as impressive as his passion. Besides solo performances in India and abroad, his journey has seen him as a part of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the South Asian Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphony Orchestra of India, among others. Accolades include a Licentiate in violin performance from the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in the UK and two Canadian music scholarships. His exceptional talent has also earned him the Fewkes Memorial Rolling Trophy for best performer at the Music Diplomas.
The string orchestra for the eagerly awaited February edition is comprised of 21 musicians, including 11 violinists, and will be under the baton of Joris Decolvenaer. This ensemble, featuring acclaimed musicians from India, Europe, and Bengaluru, speaks to the BCCO’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural exchange in the realm of classical music.
Bengaluru’s own Chowdiah Memorial Hall will resonate with the harmony of this diverse orchestra on February 26 at 7pm. Audiences eager to immerse themselves in the BCCO’s enthralling renditions can secure their tickets through BookMyShow, promising an evening that will resonate long after the final note fades into the night.
