“Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” - Plato, as quoted by Steve Lopez.
They came in all ages, from age 9 to 19, synchronized in tone, presence and musical prowess. Some were more vibrant, some low-keyed, but together, they came alive as a choir. Their discipline was evident, as they changed positions in the risers, as soprano I, soprano II, alto and tenors, wearing a change of clothes in vibrant colors of blue, red, pink, and more.
Five songs stood out in rendition, as they impeccably sang with gusto: Hava Nageela, Eres Tu, You’ll be in my Heart, Leron Leron Sinta and Orde-e, an arrangement done by the choir master, Ma. Theresa Vizconde-Roldan. You could sense Ma. Theresa’s confidence when she left conducting from the stage, to watch with the audience and appreciate the choir, as they sang the Mamma Mia medley. She was all smiles when they were done, a sign perhaps that the choir has matured on their own.
I asked the members of Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir what they like most about their California 2011 concert tour: “clean roads, a sense of order, not as much traffic and clean air that we can breathe.”
They love being part of the choir, as it gives them focus, discipline, positive experiences and “we learn how to be a team,” united to be one choir. They stressed their need to be united, the need not to over or under sing, to meld as one voice.
Ask to name what makes them successful, they said: “singing with a heart, singing with unity in mind, to be together as a group, focus, and praying before a concert.”
They are being hosted by The Sisters of Social Service and funds raised will benefit the Philippine Ministry of the Sisters of Social Service. In their 2005 and 2008 concerts, enough funds were raised to enable a formation house to be built in Amadeo, Cavite. The Sisters are distinguished by their cooperatives in Paliparan, Salawag, Dasmarinas, Cavite, including the Bukluran Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
The choir members are: Mj Agraviador, Mcoy Agraviador, Maemae Agraviador, Christine Caisip, Bernadette Caisip, Aleck Cortez, John Mar Cristobal, Jana Datu, Lyan De Leon, Charise Eryka Delson, Isabella Esguerra, Caitlin Faustino, Jboy Kison, Wendell Lopez, Shaira Malapit, Benedict Marcos, Bea Prudente, Joan Sacdalan, Sam Salumbides, Angel San Luis, Snowie Sarmiento, Rainbow Sarmiento, Rujeff Sotolombo, Sophia Sotolombo, Joco Velasco, Ysabel Yap.
Hail Mary the Queen Children’s choir is the brainchild of founders Ulan and Dinna Sarmiento. It started in 1999 as a choral group to serve Immaculate Conception Parish in Quezon City. It has now evolved to “preserve the heritage of sacred music using Latin, English and Filipino repertoires.” For this tour in California, their production assistants included: Arlene Delson, Gina Datu, Patrick de Leon, Pete de Leon, Maricar Kison, Elij Paz, Jeffrey Sotolombo, Herlan Velasco, Patrick Yap, Chie Yap with collaborating artist Jude Roldan and creative director, Ahwel Paz.
Their tenth concert at Precious Blood Catholic Church, their rallying theme of “Our song, Our prayer,” was prominent and the 26-member choir received minutes of standing ovation. The choir responded lovingly singing three encore songs, and the most endearing was the spontaneous singing with another children’s choir, directed by Pete Avendano of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
The members of Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir have distinguished themselves in excellence, earning several titles and awards: Choir Olympic Champion in the Music of the Religious Category in the 3rd Choir Olympics in Bremen, Germany in July 2004, Gold Medal in the Gospel and Spiritual Category in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2007, and the Highest God Award in the Children’s Choir Category at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in August 2009. By the time this piece is published, these children would have completed 13 concerts in California, going from North to South, and culminating with a grand performance on the stage of Disneyland last May 25!
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek June 1-3, 2011 MDWK pg. 2)
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