“Sing unto God, sing praises to His Name” Psalm 68:4
“I will sing praises unto the Lord” Psalm 27:6
Hebich Memorial Church Choir brings in nostalgic memories of the past and unveils to us the trails it has left behind on the sands of time. From time immemorial Choir has been part of the Church Service. The Church Organist played an important role in nurturing Choir. As no records are available to show the persons who were playing the Church Organ during 1950’s & 1960’s the persons who were attending Church Services on those days were contacted to compile information.
It seems between 1950 – 1956; Mr. Sumaddi; a teacher working at Basel Mission Boys’ School, Dharwad was the Organist during Church Service and Ms. Lenford; a German Lady; Hostel Warden working at Basel Mission Girls’ Home also played Organ (As narrated by Mr. Solomon Adina). In the year 1957 the Original Church Organ, which was not in good condition, was replaced by a Organ donated by Dr. John Prabhakar of Renebennur. Dr. Prabhakar later arranged to get the old Organ repaired and in turn donated the same to the Church at Unkal Hubli (As narrated by Rt. Rev. P. J. K. Balmi). The first Electronic Organ was purchased in the year 1989. A musical programme by the “Heart Beats” was arranged by the Church and the proceeds of the programme were used to buy the Organ. The Organ being played at present has been donated by Mr. Satish Lagali & Family.
During the year 1954-55 a dramatic change took place, when Mr. C. J. Ezra, then a Teacher in Basel Mission Boy’s High Dharwad started playing the Organ during Church Services. He was instrumental in building a Choir Team also. Many stalwarts and raw voices were trained to sing glory through the harmony only due to the consistent and constant training of voices under the direction of Mr. C. J. Ezra. The Church Choir was thus really tuned and trained and had become competent enough to perform even difficult pieces to the extent that a short version of the “Hallelujah Anthem” was performed during an Easter Sunday Service. From 1954 until 1992 for 38 years the Choir presented Choirs during special occasions; Christmas, New Year, Good Friday, Easter and Harvest Festivals. During Church Services singing Hymns from the Kannada Hymn Book and Music from the Mangalore Tune Book was being followed, many new Hymns from the Book were introduced and the Church Choir lead the Congregation in singing these numbers.
Singing Lyrics during Church Services started from the year 1662. Mr. R. S. Jogul along with a group of interested youth of the Church took part in this task. A Leg Harmonium was purchased for Rs: 800/- donation given by an anonymous donor in the year 1662, which is being used even today. Mr. Devadan S. Doddmani started playing the Lyrics and led the Congregation in singing Lyrics from the Book of Lyrics for the Glory of God. Occasionally Mr. Shantkumar Adgal also played the Harmonium during Church Services. Along with singing Hymns, singing Lyrics has become permanent feature during Church Services. Mr. Devadan Doddamani has been playing Harmonium even today, assisted by Mr. Samuel Tangod.
The year 1992 had to mourn the loss of Mr. C. J. Ezra Organist and Choir Director and placing on record in the annals of the history of Hebich Memorial Church Dharwad, a humble tribute to the yeomen service rendered by him to the Church and the Choir and the milestones the Church Choir established over 38 years; from 1954-1992. Under his able guidance and leadership the music reverberated, which is ever to be remembered and cherished. After the sad and sudden demise of Mr. C. J Ezra in February 1992, virtually there was nobody to play Organ during Services. Rev. D. T. Konesagar approached Mr. Joseph Hombal, who was well versed with Mangalore Tune Book, started playing the Organ. Occasionally Mr. Henry Gokavi and Mr. John Endigeri were playing the Organ. From 1992 until 1999 Choir Team was defunct.
The year 1999 was the year of revival of Choir led by Mr. R. S. Jogal; strong Choir Team was built. This whole event in the history of Hebich Memorial Church the Choir commemorates only one thing at this point of time, our thanksgiving and praises to God with all joy and gladness in gratitude to His grace for guiding and strengthening the Church choir from time to time, to sing and praise His name through the talents of the choristers led by Mr. R. S. Jogal. During this time Church saw emergence of young talent who could play Organ during Church Service. Vincent Naikar, Nixon Lazarus and Samuel Dandin not only played Organ during Church Services but also accompanied during singing of Choirs.
This era; from 1999 to 2013 reverberated with performing many Choirs during special occasions such as Advent, Christmas, New Year, Lenten Days, Good Friday, Easter and Harvest Festivals. Nixon Lazarus emerged as a confident Organist under the guidance of Mr. R. S. Jogal. Mr. Austin Lazarus on the Violin lent a strong support during Services and while performing Choirs. This time also saw emergence of another young talent; Adarsh Tangod. He has been assisting Nixon Lazarus in this task.
The year 2013 during December the sudden demise of Mr. R. S. Jogal was a great loss to the members of the Choir. That is the time when All Members of the Choir took a pledge to carry forward the legacy left by Mr. R. S. Jogul and together The Choir has been continuing learning and singing Choirs during Church Services. Again during November 2014 the Choir had to mourn sudden demise of Mr. Austin Lazarus, who had been a strong support on the Violin for the Choir.
From 1999 till today the emergence of strong Choir Team has been seen. Present Choir comprises of School children, College students, Members of the Women’s Fellowship, Members of Youth Fellowship, School & College Teaching Faculty, Past & Present Members of the Pastorate Committee, rofessionals and Senior members of the Church. With all the work pressure in their daily life the Choir has been regularly learning and practicing Choirs on Saturdays every week and performing Choirs for the Glory of God the Almighty. The young talent; Nixon Lazarus, Adarsh Tangod on the Organ and Cynthia Tangod, Annie Prakash on the Violin have been a strong support for the Choir.
The members of the Choir humbly commemorate our thanksgiving and praises to God with all joy and gladness in gratitude to His grace for guiding and strengthening the Church Choir from time to time, to sing and praise His name. We are ever thankful for the guidance, support and encouragement received from Rev. D. T. Konesagar earlier Presbyter and the present Presbyters Rev. Samuel Sakkari and Rev. Derick Christopher and members of the Pastorate Committees elected from time to time. Last but not the least; we thank all the members of the Hebich Memorial Church for their encouragement / appreciation. We humbly request all, to remember us in your daily prayer.
Dharwad: December 10, 2015.
Compiled By: Salathiel Y. Devanur.
Leader; Choir Team