In a conversation with the Saipan Tribune\u2019s editor, Ruth Tighe recently mentioned in passing that the paper should do a profile on a choir that she recently heard sing at a wake. She gave such a glowing review of the choir\u2019s performance\u2014their professionalism, the outstanding blending, the emotive quality of their singing\u2014that our interest was sufficiently piqued such that we had to hear the choir for ourselves. <\/p>\n
The earliest we could hear the choir was the start of the Christmas dawn Mass at the Mount Carmel Church last Dec. 16, so, shivering and still more than a bit sleepy, we hied off to Mount Carmel on that day, a mite anxious that we might be disappointed. I am glad to report that I wasn\u2019t. It\u2019s not everyday that you go to a Mass just to hear the choir sing but The Shepherd\u2019s Choir just might make it a reasonable excuse to do so. The impossibly high notes held at crystalline pitches, the deep basses counterpointing thrilling tenors, the eclectic pieces of music in their repertoire\u2014the overall package makes The Shepherd\u2019s Choir one outstanding chorale group whose multi-layered singing produces glistening melodies that pluck at the heart and soul. The vaulted ceilings of the church provided the perfect setting for the soaring melodies and soft harmonies of the choir, the high walls amplifying the softer notes while echoing and deepening the altos and basses. <\/p>\n
More surprises, however, awaited us. Far from being professional singers, we were pleasantly surprised to find out that the choir is actually composed of ordinary folks who just love to get together and sing\u201420 individuals of different ages from diverse backgrounds and ways of life, from accountants to engineers, programmers to bankers, medical workers to undertakers, and retired people to students. \u201cThe joy of making beautiful music together has kept the Shepherds Choir together and flourishing,\u201d the choir said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do this because it\u2019s a way to serve God,\u201d said Rose Soledad, one of the group\u2019s original founders. \u201cIt\u2019s like uniting the people of God through music and we\u2019re all really enjoy doing it. We have fun learning songs, meeting new friends, but first and foremost, it\u2019s about serving the church and spreading the word of God.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even their pianist, Franco Mendoza, is a man of surprises himself. A veritable Renaissance man, he is currently the webmaster of Verizon Micronesia but\u2014get this\u2014he finished college with a bachelor\u2019s degree in Zoology from the University of the Philippines, and a degree in Music from the UP Conservatory of Music, major in piano.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe choir is most grateful for [Mendoza\u2019s] contributions to its musical life,\u201d the group said.<\/p>\n
Founded in 1991 by Rose Soledad and Moises Olan, The Shepherds Choir have provided various churches and community members on island with live music during liturgy services for the past 14 years. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe were new to the island when we formed the choir, and we were just looking for something to do,\u201d Soledad said about the creation of the group. \u201cWe just got together with friends and formed the choir.\u201d<\/p>\n
Soledad said announcements were made at the church regarding the formation of the choir for other interested individuals to join.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt first, 30 people registered, then it grew to, at one time, about 60 but some moved to other places or went back home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The choir sings an eclectic selection of sacred music, from choral classics to contemporary compositions and spirituals. In addition, they lend their talents to dedication services, vespers, memorial liturgies, and a host of other worship celebrations, which form a vital part of the fabric of worship on Saipan.<\/p>\n
Practice session is held once a week at the Kristo Rai Church. Session begins after the Wednesday service, which begins at 6pm.<\/p>\n
Soledad is currently the choir\u2019s conductor, holding that position since 1993. \u201cIt is largely due to her commitment and dedication that the choir has reached its present strength and quality,\u201d the choir said in the statement.<\/p>\n
The group currently serves the Mount Carmel Cathedral as one of its principal liturgical choirs every Sunday morning at 9am and at Kristo Rai Church every Wednesday evening at 6pm. The choir also alternates every Saturday between San Jose Church and Kristo Rai Chuch.<\/p>\n
Also, Soledad said several members of the group recently began teaching music classes at the CCD sessions at the Mt. Carmel Cathedral.<\/p>\n
Soledad added that members of the group have bonded into what is now \u201ctheir second family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a family,\u201d Soledad said. \u201cWe\u2019re away from home so this is really, for the choir, a second family because we\u2019re away from our home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Soledad said the choir is inviting interested individuals to become part of the group. \u201cWe\u2019re inviting all those who love music and love to sing to join us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Interested individuals may contact Soledad at 287-0925 or Mendoza at 287-0129. Individuals may also reach the group Sunday mornings at 9am at the Mt. Carmel Cathedral or visit their website at www.shepherds choir.com. (With Jayvee Vallejera)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In a conversation with the Saipan Tribune\u2019s editor, Ruth Tighe recently mentioned in passing that the paper should do a profile on a choir that she recently heard sing at a wake. She gave such a glowing review of the choir\u2019s performance\u2014their professionalism, the outstanding blending, the emotive quality of their singing\u2014that our interest was sufficiently piqued such that we had to hear the choir for ourselves. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-local-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86515","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86515"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86515\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}