For Melissa Fernandes, a 48-year-old resident of Pune, the festive season truly begins with the sound of music. The weeks leading up to Christmas hold a special place in her heart, as they are filled with the disciplined and joyful practice of her church choir. For Fernandes, singing with the Christmas choir group at St Xavier's Church in Camp is more than a tradition; it's a profound way to express gratitude for life's blessings.
The Symphony of Preparation: Rehearsals Begin Months in Advance
The grandeur of the midnight mass held across Pune's churches on December 24th is no spontaneous event. It is the result of meticulous, inclusive, and dedicated music-making by parishioners who diligently carve time from their busy schedules. Choir rehearsals at St Xavier's Church commenced as early as October. "We started with practices every Sunday," shares Fernandes. "As we neared Christmas week, the frequency intensified. Throughout December, our rehearsal hours have become longer and more focused."
The excitement peaks on Christmas Eve when singers from various choirs unite. "The most thrilling part is that everyone gets to showcase their unique talents," Fernandes explains, highlighting instruments like the bass guitar, violin, and keyboard that enrich the performance.
Celebrations Beyond Church Walls: Carols, Floats, and Community
The Christmas spirit in Pune extends far beyond the confines of church architecture. The celebrations spill into neighbourhoods through vibrant expressions of faith and community. Sunday School children and elderly parishioners participate in floats, nativity and crib processions, and the cherished tradition of house-to-house carol singing.
Andrea Charles Paul, the choir mistress of St Xavier's Church, describes the scene: "Groups comprising youth, elders, and sometimes even the priest visit homes door-to-door singing carols. Participants often dress as Santa Claus, Mary, Joseph, or baby Jesus. At each house, families welcome the singers with warmth and distribute sweets."
The entire planning process is deeply rooted in liturgy. A dedicated liturgy committee first establishes the overall theme and selects Bible readings for the midnight mass. Based on these readings, specific hymns and carols are carefully chosen for different parts of the service. "Since it is Christmas, we beautifully integrate carols with the regular hymns," Paul notes. Even a children's skit presented before the mass will feature live hymns instead of recorded tracks.
A Musical Tapestry: Blending Languages and Genres
The musical selection for Pune's Christmas celebrations is wonderfully diverse, reflecting the city's cultural fabric. While beloved English hymns like "O Come All Ye Faithful," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Silent Night" feature prominently, the repertoire is much broader. Spanish songs like "Feliz Navidad" find their place, while St Xavier's incorporates Konkani hymns, and St Patrick's Church in Ghorpadi includes parts sung in Latin.
Elaine Mascarenhas, who has conducted the choir at Good Shepherd Church for years, emphasizes that all carols and hymns are uplifting, melodic, and inspiring, always maintaining a spirit of worship. Her choir, which includes members from teenagers to seniors in their 60s and 70s, has been practising since November.
Musically, her team of about 30 explores various genres. "Some carols have a contemporary or pop feel, while others are deeply traditional," Mascarenhas says. The choir is accompanied by a full band setup including guitar, keyboard, cajon, bass guitar, and violin. The singers are organized into the four classic voices—soprano, alto, tenor, and bass—creating a rich and strong harmonic structure.
Guitarist Ralph Rebello, whose team rehearses twice a week, highlights the community aspect. "It's also a time to bond and build a sense of togetherness. Our primary aim is not to perform for the congregation but to lead them in song. We want to help people experience good music and feel closer to God during Christmas," Rebello states.
At St Patrick's Church, preparations began equally early in October. Their Christmas Eve celebrations will kick off with a 30-minute carol service from 10 pm to 10:30 pm, where the choir will perform around seven carols representing various Nativity scenes.
Through months of rigorous practice, linguistic diversity, and heartfelt community participation, Pune's church choirs are meticulously weaving the soundtrack for the city's Christmas celebrations, ensuring the midnight mass is a harmonious and spiritually uplifting experience for all.
