Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
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Page added on December 22, 2013

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The Gift of Music

By. Consuelo (Chit) E. Munar

The Calgary Philharmonic Chorus and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra jointly presented Handel’s “Messiah” in a three-day sing along performance (December 6-8) at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Together with my older son who sings tenor with the chorus, I had the great opportunity to participate on-stage during the last day of performance . This experience will be left indelible in my mind and in my heart and I will cherish for the rest of my life. For many, many years I’ve always been a spectator to musical performances in the concert hall. Singing with the musically gifted members of the philharmonic chorus was, indeed, exhilarating and a great honor.

I come from a family that loves music very much. I don’t have a great voice but I certainly love to sing. My late father was a musician, leader of a band and musical director of operettas and zarzuelas in our small Philippine hometown during the years prior to World War II. He played the violin, trumpet, banjo, bandurria (chordophone) and guitar while his older brother played the piano and violin. I vividly remember my parents singing duets on classical Tagalog haranas (serenades) like Francisco Santiago’s ” Madaling Araw “(Dawn) and “Pakiusap”(Plea) and Nicanor Abelardo’s “Mutya ng Pasig” (Muse of Pasig) which I eventually learned and sang. Growing up, I learned from my father other fabulous 1920 and 1930 songs such as “All the Things You Are, Indian Love Call, Girl of Sigma Chi and A Dream, my favorite lullaby for my children.

Like most parents here in Canada my husband and I wanted the best for our three children. We unconditionally supported their pursuit for musical interests such as singing and playing musical instruments in great lengths of time. My two boys played trombone and trumpet in their junior and senior high school bands and spent a decade singing with the Calgary Boys’ Choir which gave them the great opportunity to travel to the US as well as to faraway places like Russia, Europe, Japan, Britain and Wales. The things they’ve learned from the choir and their travels are priceless.

Maria von Trapp, the matriarch of the famous Trapp Family Singers of Austria once said, “music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” In 1965, Maria Von Trapp’s life story inspired the filming of the Sound of Music. Who would never enjoy singing “Do Re Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” or “Edelweiss” ? Worldwide, all kinds of people from all walks of life sang these songs with great joy.

Music is such an incredible force. It has power. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common. Truly, I believe, music is a great uniter.

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