Tehillah Ensemble Goa

For Tehillah Ensemble Goa, music is more than a performance. It is a way of bringing faith, tradition and emotion into some of life’s most meaningful moments. Comprising passionate musicians and singers with years of experience in church choirs and other musical settings, the ensemble has built its identity around choral and liturgical music, creating thoughtfully prepared performances for weddings, funerals, church celebrations and other significant occasions.

The ensemble first came together in 2022 to sing at a friend’s wedding. What was initially intended as a one-time gathering soon led to more wedding and liturgical choir performances. By 2024, the group had formally come together as Tehillah Ensemble. Its name comes from the Hebrew word Tehillah, meaning “praise” or “song of praise”, reflecting the ensemble’s connection to faith and its purpose of using music to enrich important celebrations.

From Church Choirs to a Shared Ensemble

Tehillah’s foundation lies in a shared familiarity with church music. Its three core members, Benjamin Monserrate, Jesuslee D’Souza and Crisanda Vaz, each have experience singing in church choirs and bring a strong appreciation for choral and liturgical traditions. Their professional backgrounds span fields such as medicine, education and heritage, but music provides a common thread that brings them together.

Within the ensemble, responsibilities are shared according to the needs of each performance. Benjamin manages bookings and coordinates with clients, while the members work collectively on selecting, arranging and preparing the music. Depending on the occasion and scale of the celebration, Tehillah also brings in additional singers and musicians to create a larger ensemble.

Music Shaped Around the Occasion

Tehillah primarily provides choral music for Catholic weddings, nuptial celebrations, funerals, church feasts, anniversaries and other liturgical occasions. Its repertoire includes Konkani and English hymns, along with a selection of Portuguese hymns, allowing the music to remain closely connected to Goa’s Catholic and cultural traditions.

The ensemble does not follow a fixed programme for every event. Instead, its members work closely with clients to understand their preferences, the nature of the celebration and, particularly for weddings, the vixoi or theme. The music is then selected to complement the ceremony and its liturgy.

This personalised approach allows performances to range from a three-member choir to an eight- or ten-member ensemble accompanied by different voices and instruments. The arrangements can also change according to the occasion, ensuring that the music feels appropriate rather than following a standardised programme.

Across Churches in Goa

Over the years, Tehillah Ensemble has performed at churches across Goa, from Anjuna to Margao and beyond. Its work has also taken the group to churches in the neighbouring Diocese of Goa, reflecting the ensemble’s growing reach within the wider Catholic community.

For each celebration, the members consider the character of the ceremony and the liturgical requirements before preparing the repertoire. Their approach is centred on ensuring that the music has a meaningful connection with the occasion while remaining respectful of the church setting.

Supporting the Sound Behind the Music

A successful choral performance depends not only on the singers but also on the quality of sound support. Tehillah works with professional sound teams, having collaborated with Dynamic Sound Goa and Versatile Sound Solutions for its performances.

Reliable technical support allows the ensemble to concentrate on the music while ensuring that the choir is heard clearly and evenly throughout the ceremony. Balanced sound is particularly important in church settings, where acoustics can significantly influence the experience of both the performers and congregation.

Celebrations That Stay With Them

Among Tehillah’s memorable experiences are performances during the novena of St. Francis Xavier, the feast of Santa Monica and the Weeping Cross in Old Goa. These occasions hold a special place for the ensemble because they bring together not only the choir but also large congregations of faithful who join in the singing.

For the members, there is something particularly moving about hearing an entire congregation participate in the music. The collective voices create an atmosphere of community and devotion that extends beyond the performance itself, making these celebrations especially meaningful.

Growing Through Community

As Tehillah Ensemble continues to develop, its members remain conscious of the wider musical community in Goa. Rather than viewing other choirs solely as competitors, they see them as part of a larger network of musicians who share a love for the art and traditions of choral singing.

The ensemble maintains close relationships with several other choirs and is happy to recommend them when Tehillah is already booked for a particular date. The same support is extended in return. For the members, this spirit of cooperation is an important part of sustaining Goa’s vibrant music community and creating opportunities for talented performers to grow together.

Keeping the Music Meaningful

Tehillah Ensemble Goa’s journey from a gathering of singers for a friend’s wedding to an established ensemble reflects the strength of a shared passion. Its work remains grounded in faith, musical preparation and an understanding of the significance behind every celebration it serves.

As the ensemble grows, its aim is to continue providing meaningful and carefully prepared music while remaining attentive to the liturgy, the church environment and the wishes of each client. Above all, Tehillah hopes to keep using its voices to add depth, beauty and a sense of togetherness to the moments that matter most.