What better way to spend one's Saturday night than sitting under the starry sky, listening to 'Deepak Lazarus N' The Songsters' belting out music to suit every palate. With a harmonious amalgam of different genres and different sounds, the musician and his young students added a classical touch to famous songs by various artistes.
The purpose of the performance was a final curtain call for some of Deepak's students. "Most of our band members are starting work, so we wanted to have everyone together one last time," explains Deepak, who organised the entire display within a week. He recalls how what would have been a chaotic event, turned out so clean. "Each person pooled in and pitched in so wholeheartedly with their time and effort. That is why everything worked like clockwork," he says contentedly.
From a soulful performance of Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' to a lively foot-tapping medley of hit numbers by the 'Beatles', the evening had something to satisfy every member of the audience, young and old.
As the MC for the night, Roger Lurshay commented, "We have everything from the new, to the old, to the in-between!" He also mentioned, "No Deepak Lazarus concert is complete without a song from John Denver's collection," and sure enough, the artiste performed an all-time Denver favourite, 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' with one of his students.
"The audience ranges across vast age groups — from fifth grade students to grandparents. We wanted to give everyone a touch of music they enjoy," says Deepak, describing how he came up with the varied song list with lead guitarist Leslie Joy Alex.
In fact, Leslie's quick fingers and clear voice received loud cheers from the audience, as he performed a number with his mentor. In the short break provided between the two sets, the band from National Public School, 'Stone of Alternate', performed one of its originals, 'Dream World,' which received much appreciation from the audience.
In fact, throughout the evening, Deepak gave each member of his band, and the choir, a platform to display their own improvisations of popular hits — solos, duets, medleys, and choruses. "When I look at my students," says an awe-inspired Deepak, "there is so much talent all around me."
He recalls having taught some of his students for more than 10 years. "I've watched some of them grow from playing single chords to big pieces of different genres," reminisces Deepak. Now, he feels the need to give everyone an opportunity to showcase their talent. "In fact, I learn so much from them," he says.
By tweaking hit songs and interlacing them with their own classical hint, 'The Songsters' gave the audience a memorable performance. "We do a lot of choral stuff and I've always wanted to blend today's music with a choral touch," explains Deepak. "We're open to all kinds of music, but we do it our way — performing duets or bringing in the choir," he grins.
The most rewarding aspect of the performance for Deepak was sense of fulfillment towards his students. "I love being a teacher," he beams, as his students surprise him with an unexpected gift. "My students do such surprising, amazing and unbelievable things!" says the proud musician.
The purpose of the performance was a final curtain call for some of Deepak's students. "Most of our band members are starting work, so we wanted to have everyone together one last time," explains Deepak, who organised the entire display within a week. He recalls how what would have been a chaotic event, turned out so clean. "Each person pooled in and pitched in so wholeheartedly with their time and effort. That is why everything worked like clockwork," he says contentedly.
From a soulful performance of Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' to a lively foot-tapping medley of hit numbers by the 'Beatles', the evening had something to satisfy every member of the audience, young and old.
As the MC for the night, Roger Lurshay commented, "We have everything from the new, to the old, to the in-between!" He also mentioned, "No Deepak Lazarus concert is complete without a song from John Denver's collection," and sure enough, the artiste performed an all-time Denver favourite, 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' with one of his students.
"The audience ranges across vast age groups — from fifth grade students to grandparents. We wanted to give everyone a touch of music they enjoy," says Deepak, describing how he came up with the varied song list with lead guitarist Leslie Joy Alex.
In fact, Leslie's quick fingers and clear voice received loud cheers from the audience, as he performed a number with his mentor. In the short break provided between the two sets, the band from National Public School, 'Stone of Alternate', performed one of its originals, 'Dream World,' which received much appreciation from the audience.
In fact, throughout the evening, Deepak gave each member of his band, and the choir, a platform to display their own improvisations of popular hits — solos, duets, medleys, and choruses. "When I look at my students," says an awe-inspired Deepak, "there is so much talent all around me."
He recalls having taught some of his students for more than 10 years. "I've watched some of them grow from playing single chords to big pieces of different genres," reminisces Deepak. Now, he feels the need to give everyone an opportunity to showcase their talent. "In fact, I learn so much from them," he says.
By tweaking hit songs and interlacing them with their own classical hint, 'The Songsters' gave the audience a memorable performance. "We do a lot of choral stuff and I've always wanted to blend today's music with a choral touch," explains Deepak. "We're open to all kinds of music, but we do it our way — performing duets or bringing in the choir," he grins.
The most rewarding aspect of the performance for Deepak was sense of fulfillment towards his students. "I love being a teacher," he beams, as his students surprise him with an unexpected gift. "My students do such surprising, amazing and unbelievable things!" says the proud musician.