Choir Fest Report- Hermon- 2012

The 5thSouthern Regional Choir Fest was hosted by Hermon Mar Thoma Church, Atlanta and conducted at the Assembly of God Church on Sept 1st, 2012. Dr. Alexander Karackal, Former Vice Chancellor of Kannoor University and Former Sabha Secretary of Orthodox Church was the chief guest for the event.

The program started with invocation and worship led by Rev. M.P Yohannan, Vicar of the host parish and Rev. T. J. Abraham. Rev. John Kuruvilla, Rev. Jose P. Abraham, Rev. P.S.Thomas, Rev. Scaria Varghese, Rev. Shaji Thomas of the CSI Church, Atlanta also attended the event. Choirs from 8 parishes in the region participated in this music festival.

Each parish got the
opportunity to sing 4 songs out of which the English choir or the junior choir presented 2 songs.The parishes in the region that participated in the choir fest are Atlanta Mar Thoma Church, Chattanooga MT Congregation, Hermon Mar Thoma Church, Lawrenceville, Jacksonville M. T.Congregation, St. Luke Mar Thoma Church, Margate, St. Mark Mar Thoma Church Tampa, Orlando Mar Thoma Church and Mar Thoma Church of South Florida.

Rev. M. P. Yohannan delivered the presidential address. The theme song based on ‘Sthuthi -Aradhana’ was presented by the host parish choir. The Hermon Mar Thoma Sunday School presented a well-choreographed ‘rendition of praise’ dance program. A memorial souvenir was released by Rev. Scaria Varughese by giving a copy to Rev. Shaji of the CSI Church. Mr. Jacob Kurumthottickal, Rev. P. S. Thomas, Vicar, Atlanta Mar Thoma Church, Mr. Georgy Varughese,
Diocesan Council Member and Mr. Abraham Thomas gave felicitations during the festival. Rev. M. P Yohannan distributed the awards to all participating choirs. Mr. Shiboo Varughese, Secretary of Hermon Mar Thoma Church welcomed the audience and Mr. Sajin Mammen, Choir Fest Convener rendered the vote of thanks. Throughout the program, the Emcees Mr. Sean George and Ms. Jaysley George provided outstanding performance by entertaining the audience with thought-provoking and humorous stories. Over 400 persons attended the event.

Hermon Mar Thoma Church Choir Master Mr. Mannil George, Secretary Mrs. Reena George,Souvenir committee members Mr. Shiboo Varughese, Mr. Mathew Varughese, Mr. Jacob George and Mrs. Sherin Mathew; Food Committee members Mrs. Marykutty Eapen, Mr. Chacko Varghese, Mr. Bryce Abraham, Mrs. Money George, Mrs. Saly Sajin Mammen and Mrs.
Gracy Tharian; Accommodations Committee Mr. Rajukutty Mathew, Mr. Samji Oommen, Mr. Saji Thomas and Mr. Chacko Thomas and Reception Committee Mr. Abraham Thomas, Mr. Lukose Tharian, Mr. Samuel Varghese and Mr. Bijoy Cherian provided effective leadership for the success of the program.
Georgy Varughese, Council Member