Geetmala Foundation is into its second year of collaboration with the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra to feature Michigan’s best singing talent in the upcoming Musical Galaxy on May 8th at Birmingham. This exclusive musical feast has been put together by Geetmala Radio Host Narendra Sheth. The evening according to Mr. Sheth brings a beautiful fusion of classical and new bollywood songs with PSO’s extravagant instrumentalists along with the best vocalists in the country.

According to Nan Washburn of Plymouth Symphony Orchestra (PSO), the attempt to understand Indian bollywood music in a very unfamiliar terrain is very rewarding. However, the exciting feature of the concert will be the fusion of instrumentalists with Narendra’s ensemble of vocalists and musicians for numbers that range from the classical to western pop. Nan further mentioned that working with the written notations was the biggest challenge. Nan Washburn is one of the most innovative and dynamic music conductors in Michigan. She is now beginning her eleventh season as the Music Director of the Plymouth Symphony and her sixth season directing Orchestra Canton. She considers Indian Bollywood music to be ‘fabulous’ and ‘challenging’.

The group that usually showcases a standard repertoire has been rehearsing with Mr, Sheth’s team for months now translating notations and files to make it comprehendible to the native folks in Michigan.

Funds from the Geetmala’s concerts go toward free medical clinics in Michigan, The MAI Family Services, Indo-American Eye Care Institute and Shankara Eye Foundation in India. The Geetmala Foundation of Michigan, a tax-exempt organization has been presenting musical shows every other year to raise funds for several note-worthy causes, mentioned Mr. Sheth.

Quizzed about her knowledge with Bollywood, Nan mentioned that the older hindi classics that are based on ragas are really interesting and more challenging than the new ones as the newer notes are purely based out of western pop. She considers AR Rahman’s music brilliant, wonderful and very complex. She attributes her participation as a “fun learning process”.

The musicians are gearing up to perform, months of hard work, several rehearsals and a rich repertoire has been planned for the evening of May 8th. This exciting collaboration with 25 songs for the night with a good number of musical arrangements is something that all music lovers are looking forward to. As Mr. Sheth puts it – a concert to this magnitude by a local group has never been performed in North America. Over 30 instrumentalists from the PSO will be performing with Mr. Sheth’s ensemble. Not to forget, the rich visual treatment that would accompany the vocalists. According to Mr. Sheth, collecting funds by ticket sales, getting all the musical notations for the American symphony to participate and to get all the musicians of different temperaments together is a challenge by itself.

The highlight of the Musical Galaxy this weekend will taper off with a beautiful bollywood and Hollywood medley, said Ms. Washburn. Her personal favorites include the cello beginning of “Tu Muskura” from the Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer Yuvraj and “Mere Dolna” from the Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan starrer Bhool Bhulaiya.

Dr. Yash Shah, President of MAPI (Michigan Association of Physicians of Indian Origin), and a personal friend of Mr. Sheth commended Mr. Sheth’s contribution to the community. He personally found the whole concept of fusing symphony arrangement with bollywood music as unique and phenomenal. Dr. Shah maintained that apart from providing quality music to the Michigan Indian community, the musical show promotes local talent, keeps the community involved in addition to a good cause of serving local charities

Nan Washburn and Mr. Narendra Sheth are excited about the inclusion of the Grand Piano as part of the orchestration. Both had great things to say about Patrick Johnson who plays by the ear and are looking forward to a scintillating evening.

Mr. Narendra Sheth who loves the music of Lata Mangeshkar, Madan Mohan, Naushad, Shankar Jaikishan and AR Rahman compares the musical event to that of a pizza. According to him, music involves creating and coordinating various pieces of the puzzle in a similar fashion where excellent ingredients are required for a good tasting pizza. The pleasure, however is the thinking that goes behind creating the best process and product that everyone would like and savor. Mr. Sheth considers attitude, working relationship with the group, tune, in other words “sur”, quality and sweetness of the voice, projection and smoothness in bridging the words as the powerful strength of any good singer.

Dr. Akshay Shah, past president of MAPI and a supporter of Geetmala Foundation from its initial beginning stated that Geetmala Foundation and Narendra Sheth’s events are the best in the community. This incomparable event and the musical galaxy of this calibre that is conducted for a charitable and humanitarian purpose makes us so lucky, added Mr. Shah.

Mark your calendars for May 8th as you have a date with the galaxy of musicians in Birmingham. The musical night is sure to be a treat for all the music lovers that have a special place in their heart for bollywood songs. An exuberant display of light and sound; the stage would be beautifully decked up on the lines of the theme with live symphny orchestra as accompaniment.

The songs would be instrumentally superior in arrangement and tweaked to give a whole new dimension. An event of this nature happens only in Michigan with an array of soulful musicians, including the best local talent belting out your favorites.