'A Reason To Sing' – presented by ASTERIA Female Voice Choir, directed and produced by
Prashalini Peiris in memory of the late Mahen Peiris. Proceeds in aid of the Paediatric Ward of the Base Hospital in Valaichenai.

ASTERIA Female Voice Choir was founded in 2010 by your late husband, Mahen Peiris. Could you share the story behind its establishment and how the choir has evolved over the years?
ASTERIA Female Voice Choir began in 2010 when a group of ladies, all of whom were old girls of Methodist College, Colombo, came together, united by their love for singing and their
desire to make music together. Mahen was the Founder and Director of ASTERIA, and he had a wonderful vision for the choir. He wanted to create a group that would not only sing beautifully but also explore different musical styles, challenge themselves and grow together as musicians. Under his direction, ASTERIA developed a distinctive identity, performing a diverse repertoire that included sacred and spiritual music, jazz, pop, semi-classical music and a cappella arrangements.

Over the years, ASTERIA grew in both musical maturity and experience, performing at various
concerts and events. One of our proudest achievements was participating in the Asia Pacific Choir Games and Grand Prix of Nations in Colombo in 2017, where we won two Gold medals, in the Chamber Choir and Musica Sacra categories, and a Silver medal in the Chamber Choir category at the Asia Pacific Champions Competition.

Mahen’s passing in September 2016 was an enormous personal loss for me, as well as for the choir. However, I felt a deep responsibility to preserve what he had built and ensure that his vision continued to live on. Having shared his love for music and been closely associated with ASTERIA from its early days, I took on the responsibility of directing the choir after his passing.

Since then, ASTERIA has continued to bring ladies (and currently old girls from other schools as well) together through music. Although we have experienced changes over the years, the bond we share and our commitment to making music remain at the heart of the choir. Our members are amateur singers from different backgrounds, but when we come together to sing, we are united by a common passion.

2. This concert marks the tenth anniversary of Mahen’s passing and is being held in his memory. What personal significance does A Reason To Sing hold for you, and how does it honour his legacy?
This concert is not only a tribute to Mahen, but also a celebration of the joy, friendships and inspiration he brought into our lives through music. Most importantly, we are dedicating the net proceeds to the Paediatric Ward of Base Hospital, Valaichenai, so that his memory can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children. In many ways, A Reason To Sing is my way of turning personal loss into hope, love and giving.

3. Scheduled for 28 November at the Ladies’ College Auditorium, Colombo, the concert will
bring together 30 female voices. What can audiences expect from this year’s performance, and what experience do you hope to create for them?
Audiences can look forward to an evening of beautiful and diverse music, ranging from choral beautiful and diverse music, ranging from choral jazz, pop, ballads and semi-classical pieces to
spirituals and a cappella performances. With 30 female voices coming together, we hope to create an evening filled with harmony, emotion and musical excellence, enhanced by special performances from The De Lanerolle Brothers, Rukshan Perera and a TTBB Male Voice Ensemble comprising friends of Mahen.

Above all, I hope A Reason To Sing will be more than just a concert. I want it to be a heartfelt and
memorable experience that touches hearts, celebrates the power of music to bring people together, and honours Mahen’s legacy. It is also a charitable endeavour, with the net proceeds going towards the Paediatric Ward of Base Hospital, Valaichenai, giving our music a purpose beyond the stage.

4. The programme encompasses a diverse repertoire, ranging from semi-classical and pop to jazz, ballads and a cappella music. What guided your selection of music, and how does the repertoire reflect the choir’s artistic vision?
Our aim was to create a programme that is both musically diverse and emotionally engaging, showcasing the versatility of ASTERIA. From showcasing the versatility of ASTERIA. From semi-classical and jazz to pop, ballads and a cappella, each selection has been made with great care to highlight the choir’s vocal abilities, blend and expressive qualities.

Above all, we want our music to touch hearts, evoke memories and bring people together. I believe this diversity reflects ASTERIA’s artistic vision of combining musical excellence with the joy and power of singing, giving every audience member a reason to connect with the music.

5. The concert will feature guest performances by the De Lanerolle Brothers, Rukshan Perera and a male voice ensemble comprising friends of the late Mahen, directed by Ishan De Lanerolle. How did these collaborations come about, and what significance do they hold for the concert?
These collaborations are especially meaningful because Mahen shared close friendships and a
deep love of music with these artistes. Rukshan Perera and the De Lanerolle Brothers have a
special connection with both Mahen and me, having performed with us in the past. The male voice ensemble, comprising Mahen’s friends and directed by Ishan De Lanerolle, is a particularly heartfelt tribute to the bonds of particularly heartfelt tribute to the bonds of friendship and music that Mahen cherished.

Having these artistes join us makes A Reason To Sing even more special. It is not only a celebration of music, but also a reunion of friends and a tribute to Mahen’s life, legacy and the beautiful musical relationships he built. Most importantly, we are bringing our music together for a worthy cause, with the net proceeds going towards the Paediatric Ward at Base Hospital, Valaichenai.

6. The proceeds from the concert will be directed towards supporting the Paediatric Ward of the Base Hospital, Valaichenai. What inspired you to support this particular cause, and what impact do you hope the initiative will have on the children receiving treatment there?
We wanted this concert to be more than just a musical tribute to Mahen; we wanted it to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. The Paediatric Ward at the Base Hospital in Valaichenai was chosen because one of our young doctors, namely Dr Asini Gunawardena, sings with ASTERIA and works at this hospital’s Paediatric Ward. We hope the proceeds will help improve the facilities and care available to these improve the facilities and care available to these
children, bringing them comfort, hope and a brighter future. To me, this is a beautiful way of honouring Mahen’s legacy through music, love and compassion.

7. As the director and producer of the concert, what have been the key challenges and most rewarding aspects of bringing this production together, particularly given its deeply personal significance?
One of the greatest challenges has been balancing the many responsibilities of directing and producing a concert of this scale, while ensuring that every detail reflects the vision behind it. Given its deeply personal significance, there is also an emotional aspect to bringing this tribute together. The most rewarding part has been witnessing the commitment of our singers, the support of our guest artistes, and the generosity of everyone who has come forward to help.

Knowing that we are not only honouring Mahen’s legacy but also raising funds for the Paediatric Ward of Base Hospital, Valaichenai, makes this journey all the more meaningful. It truly gives us 'a reason to sing.'

8. Finally, what message would you like to convey to the public about A Reason To Sing, and why is it important for audiences to support a concert that brings together music, remembrance and a charitable cause?
My message to the public is to join us for A Reason To Sing on Saturday, 28th November 2026, at 7.00 pm at the Ladies’ College Auditorium, Colombo for an evening where music comes from the heart, honours a beautiful legacy and makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children.

By supporting this concert, audiences will not only help us celebrate Mahen’s love for music but also contribute towards the Paediatric Ward of Base Hospital, Valaichenai. I hope they will leave feeling inspired, knowing that through music, we can keep memories alive, bring people together and give hope to those in need. Together, let us make every song count for a reason.