Quarantunes 2020.. Masks Off, Mics On! Fr Muller’s organizes Online Concert & Musical Extravaganza
Mangaluru: In this time of containment, masks and isolation; opportunity for expression and creativity has reached its lowest ebb. So after nine months of cultural drought, the students of Father Muller’s decided to use the only platform they had, to vent all their pent up energy, the Internet and came up with the first edition of an online musical extravaganza, “Quarantunes – Masks Off, Mics On!”. Along with the help of the Alumni association FMMCAA, and the backing of Father Muller Charitable Institution (FMCI), they got the ball rolling quickly, with the time between inception of idea to actual performance being 9 days.
The performers included some of the best singers of Father Muller’s, past and present, from students, staff and alumni. The one positive of an online platform was that performers from all over the world could partake, from all the way in New York to Abu Dhabi to Shillong to Mangaluru and different cities in Kerala. These performers brought to the event a myriad of genres of music, ranging from Hindustani classical, retro 70’s Bollywood and Malayalam, to western classic rock, contemporary pop, reggae and some exquisite originals. The new promising music app – Ombre and the famous bath and Body product brand Iluvia sponsored the event. The event was wonderfully compered by Ms. Shreya Honarius.
The headliner of the event was none other than the budding international indie artist, Frizzell D’Souza. She has been mentioned in several popular news publications including the famous “rollingstone.in”, has received recognition from noted musicians: Raghav Meattle, Prateek Kuhad (who himself was recognized by Barack Obama), Ehsaan Noorani (from Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy fame) . She recently also has come out with her own single “New”, which is available on various platforms which has got its fair share of international adulation. But if you’re wondering about the Fr Muller connection – She is the daughter of Dr Hilda & Dr Clement D’Souza, both are professors and alumni from Fr Muller’s!
The performers were as follows:
Tinu : Student, MBBS 2016
Howni: Student, MBBS 2019
Allan: Student, MBBS 2018
Adrian Shaji: Student, BPT Final Year
Irene Mathew (Batch of 2015) direct from her rural posting in Belthangady
Dr. Sharon Sam – Gynaecologist from Ahmedabad (Alumnus, Batch of 2008)
Dr. Sandeep M. B. – Radiologist from Abu Dhabi (Alumnus, Batch of 1999)
Dr Prajwal Mane – Asst. Professor of Orthopedics (Alumnus, Batch of 2006)
Dr. Rosmy Jimmy – Palliative care & Geriatrics fellow, Mt Sinai Hospital, New York (Alumnus, Batch of 2006)
Dr. Monisha – Psychiatry resident, Harlem Hospital, Columbia University, New York (Alumnus, Batch of 2005)
Dr Binston Thomas – Radiologist from Trivandrum (PG Alumnus, Batch of 2012)
Dr. Lenon D’Souza: Chief of Endovascular & Interventional Radiology, Fr. Muller Hospital (Alumnus, Batch of 2006)
Ann: Student, MBBS Batch of 2017
Frizzell D’Souza : Headliner
This event being the first of its kind, was made free for attendees, with it being streamed through the Insider PayTM app on Zoom. Within less than just 3 days of publicizing the event with numerous posters all over social media put up every few hours, the tickets were sold out. On public demand, the event was also live streamed free on Facebook. The organisers were wary about the reception of a musical event on a virtual platform sans faces, cheers, claps and the general vibe of the live audience. So a number of ways to interact through live polls, on-going trivia questions with winners getting special vouchers and even song requests were set in place.
As the day finally came, worries about connectivity, audience reception, quality of audio or video and the general novelty of such an event, were finally put to rest. As it was a blissful night of music and relaxation with no technical problems and an overwhelming response and interaction with attendees, with all round positive responses from all who experienced the event. It turned out to be a much needed 3 and a half hours of melody, nostalgia, fun, interaction and good vibes all around, where the internet was finally used to spread some happiness and cheer.
In a few days, viewership has already crossed 3600 views on Facebook, and this is despite selling out 500 free tickets on Zoom. Altogether it was a great initiative conceived and guided by Dr Lenon D’Souza and executed by the MBBS Batch of 2017 under the leadership of Mr Jordan Rasquinha which was brought to fruition very smoothly. Hope this was the first of many.
The concert is up for viewing on Facebook :Click Here