The Capital City Minstrels (CCM)

The Capital City Minstrels (CCM)

CCM was founded in 1994 and since then has performed over 300 concerts in India and abroad. In June 2008, the choir undertook a very successful European concert tour to Hungary, Germany and France. In January 2013, CCM was the first Delhi choir to be selected to perform at the Monte Music Festival in Goa. His Excellency, The Lt. Governor of Goa requested a special performance at his official residence as well. In 2011, the choir was invited by the Hon. Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir for special performances in Gulmarg and Srinagar. It has also had the honour of being invited for 2 years consecutively to present its Christmas Concerts to the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhawan. CCM’s performances both in India and abroad have received wide media coverage.

The Capital City Minstrels (CCM) is comprised of people from all walks of life – university students and professionals such as doctors, lawyers, architects, teachers, development practitioners, corporate executives and embassy personnel, of all ages and nationalities. Languages spoken by various choir members include French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Hungarian and a host of Indian regional languages. But the language that unites us all is music. Originating in 1994, the choir is now in its 21st year. Over these two decades CCM has performed more than 200 concerts at prestigious venues around the capital such as the India Habitat Centre, India International Centre, Epicentre - Gurgaon, Rashtrapati Bhavan and hotels like the Imperial, the Hyatt and the Ashoka. The choir has also established strong cultural links with the Hungarian Cultural Centre, Alliance Francaise, the Austrian, Italian and Vatican Embassies and regularly perform for important events at these places. CCM’s repertoire spans a wide 
range; from the earliest choral music to the entire spectrum of western classical music, and opera to ballads, folk songs, Broadway musicals, rock, pop, jazz as well as Indian music arranged for choir performances. Touring in India and abroad to share their love for music, CCM has over the years performed in Goa, Kashmir, Budapest, Remscheider (Germany), Paris and their recent European tour in June 2015 took them to Bad Tolz (Hungary), Berlin, Geretstried (near Munich) and Rolle (Switzerland).

The 80-100 CCM members comprise of Indians and Expatriates. The age group varies from senior school students to senior citizens. The choir sings songs in 18 different languages ranging from Marathi & Japanese to Hungarian & Latin ! Their rehearsal venue has been at the Hungarian Centre practically since inception.

CCM Conductors over the years:
1.      Ms. Zohra Shaw
2.      Mr. Hur Chul Young
3.      Ms. Giti Chandra
4.      Ms. Sharmila Livingstone
5.      Ms. Dianne Pritchett
6.      Mr. Nauzer Daruwala
7.      Bro. Len Noronh
8.      Ms.Gabriella Boda-Rechner
9.      Ms. Nadya V. Balyan
10.   Ms. Fiona Hedger-Gourlay
11.   Ms. Carolin Remy  - the present Conductor

Website : www.capitalcityminstrels.com