Saranga Cooray, a talented cellist, has a rich musical background that began at a young age. Introduced to the cello by his father, he honed his skills under the guidance of Savithri Jayathilaka, and went on to achieve a distinction in grade eight cello examination of ABRSM, the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music.

With an ATCL diploma in cello performance and LTCL in cello performance, Cooray has been a frequent award winner for both DipABRSM and LTCL. He has had the privilege of attending a master class by American Cellist Joshua Roman, and is now a member of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka. Cooray can be found playing cello in the OPUS String Quartet and Krasna Ensemble, and also serves as the principal cellist in several prestigious orchestras.

Growing up, Cooray had a unique musical journey that started with his father’s introduction to western classical music. His father, a musician in the oriental and local music scene, noticed Cooray’s different taste in music, and introduced him to the cello. Under the guidance of cello teacher Savithri Jayathilaka, Cooray honed his skills and eventually caught the attention of Lakshman Joseph de Sarem, who was looking for cellists for the Chamber Music Society of Colombo. With this opportunity, Cooray was able to play chamber music with de Sarem and other international musicians, including Rohan de Silva. Through hard work and dedication, Cooray has become a talented cellist, ready to share his musical journey with the world.

Cooray’s musical career took off when he met Ananda Dabare. Dabare was searching for cellists for his junior symphony orchestra during 2009 and 2010, and Cooray was fortunate enough to be selected as the principal cello for these concerts. After impressing Dabare with his performance, Cooray auditioned for the symphony orchestra and was chosen based on his playing of the Bréval Cello sonata in C and The Swan by Camille Saint Saens. Dabare was so impressed with Cooray’s performance that he asked him to join his string quartet, with which they performed at prestigious venues such as the Cinnamon Grand. Through his experiences playing ensembles, Cooray honed his skills and became a talented cellist.

Cooray’s musical journey has been shaped by many inspiring musicians. At a young age, he was struck by Misha Maisky’s performance of the Bach six cello suites and was particularly taken by Maisky’s use of vibrato to create musical sound through various finger positions. “Additionally, video recordings of cellist Jacqueline du Pre have also been a source of inspiration for me,” he shared, adding that these influences have helped to shape his own unique style and approach to playing the cello.

One of the biggest challenges in Saranga Cooray’s musical career has been the lack of support for instrumentalists in the country. Despite dedicating his life to music, he and many other talented musicians in the country struggle to maintain a professional livelihood as there are limited opportunities for musicians to earn a steady income and receive benefits such as pensions. “This lack of support from the Government makes it difficult for musicians to focus solely on their craft,” he added. Cooray believes that music, particularly classical music, is an integral part of a country’s cultural and intellectual development, and should be given the proper recognition and support by the Government. “This is in contrast to many developed countries, where the government actively supports and invests in their musicians.”

In Cooray’s opinion, the classical music scene in Sri Lanka may be small, but it is crucial for the quality of the performances to be top-notch. “With many classical musicians not being able to make a full-time living through music, it is even more important for the music presented at concerts to be of the highest standard,” he shared. By striving for excellence in their performances, Cooray believes that the classical music community can gradually raise the level of their repertoire and grow the classical music scene in the country.

For aspiring classical musicians, Saranga Cooray offers this valuable advice: “Broaden your musical horizons beyond your instrument by immersing yourself in a diverse range of musical genres, including choral, opera, symphonies, concertos, and contemporary music.” He believes that listening to fine recordings of world-class musicians can greatly enhance one’s skills in communication, coordination, and intonation. This approach to musical education is what truly matters in his opinion.