Australian Sai Choir
Visit to Prashanthi Nilayam ~
Dec 2009 - Jan 2010

Sai Ram!

Welcome to the web home of the Australian Sai Choir!

The Australian Sai Choir will be visiting Prasanthi Nilayam from 27th December 2009 to 10th January 2010 with the intention of performing songs in the presence of Sathya Sai Baba.

Registrations for the Australian Sai Choir have closed. There are approximately 280 members in the Choir, who are regularly attending Choir practice in every state and in the Tweed-Gold Coast Region. Newsletters are sent on a regular basis to choir members.

Dedication, Commitment and attending all practices will be the required criteria to be part of the Sai Choir going to Prashanthi Nilayam.

The Director - Performing Arts, Linda Walker-Muschellknautz will be the Choir Organiser and conduct choir practices; Siva V. Sivasupramaniam has kindly agreed to be the tour manager for the Sai Choir. You may use the link on the contact page to contact them. Newsletters will have their personal contact details.

Choir Members are advised to do their own air travel arrangements, as a group booking will not be made (the choir will comprise members from all states in Australia) .

We will provide a contact name and telephone number, if needed, to help organise their travel arrangements.

To obtain an Indian Visa it will take from 2 days to 3 weeks depending on the applicant's country of birth.

Participants should make their arrangements to be in Prashanthi Nilayam from 26th December 2009 to 11th January 2010.

Arrangements are being considered for a distinctive choir uniform; this may comprise a distinctive scarf and/or a similar item of clothing. Choir members will be notified of dress requirements.

OMKAR

All Choir members are asked to perform OMKAR daily. Omkar tones the voice and keeps it in proper harmony. Choir Members who want to may download OMKAR as an MP3 by right clicking the link in the margin.

Ashram Accommodation from 26th December 2008 to 11th January 2009 will be organised in Prashanthi Nilayam via officers of the Sathya Sai Organisation.

The following officers have been nominated to serve the devotees who are participating in the choir:

• Choir Director - Linda Muschelknautz
• Choir Administrator - Siva V. Sivasupramaniam
• Choir Conductor - Yani Mills
• Coordinator of all practices - Rajesh Valoth
• Coordinator of Sound Systems - (Moorthy) Sathya Moorthy
• Coordinator of Transport - Murthy Potukuchi

The following State Representatives have been nominated serve the devotees who are participating in the choir:

• NSW - Rajesh Valoth
• Victoria - Kumudini Khoosal
• QLD - Margaret Williamson van Hennekeler
• Tasmania - Michael Thrush
• ACT - Murali Muralitharan
• South Australia - Janine Barelds
• WA - Ronelle Macaulay

Choir practices will be held in regional groups.

Note: Participation in the Australian Sai Choir is only open to residents of Australia, who are enrolled as members of Sai Centres or Groups in Australia.

The participants need to be resident in Australia, actively participating in their centres or group, following the Sai Choir Sadhana Plan, and attending choir rehearsals. Rehearsal and practice are an absolute prerequiste for participation in the Choir overseas. The Choir director advises that discipline, rehearsal and practice are all required in order to reach and surpass the standards of excellence set by other international choirs that perform in Prashanti Nilayam.

The Choir Organiser will visit the states once a month in the Capital cities for combined group rehearsals. CD's will be distributed with any descant parts.