Sandaling Pinakahihintay with choir (Updated)

 

5 May 2008. JMM begins doing a demo CD to promote our artists and our services. The demo CD will include performances for weddings, masses, vocal exercises, by two specific artists: Musica Chiesa (instrumentals) and C5 (vocals). These songs will be distributed to parishes, choirs, wedding organizers, etc. We hope that they would be interested to avail of Liturgical Music Workshops, weddings and special masses, and parish fundraising concerts.

Musica Chiesa records the song Sandaling Pinakahihintay by UP Professor Agot (Augusto) Espino, which is a perfect song for weddings. These are the musicians: Mike Bulaong (keyboard), Silke & Twinkle Hipolito and Charisse Toledo, Criselda and Gerard Peren, Carlo Tuazon and Marian San Miguel (strings), Aris Tuazon (flute) and Jose Enrico Tuazon (cello). Robbie Grande and Jett Galindo were the sound engineers at SFX Studio, Jesuit Communications Foundation.

Vocals by Mr. Quincy Gonzales (both Musica Chiesa and Canto Cinco member) and back-up by Canto Cinco (C5)  Music Ministry. The demo CD is not for commercial purposes.

Sapang Palay-Payatas Liturgical Music Workshop

 

20 April 2008. The Jesuit Music Ministry with Musica Chiesa and Canto Cinco (C5) Music Ministry held the 3rd Installment of the Sapang Palay (Bulacan) and Payatas Liturgical Music Workshop for their various chapel and church choirs. The workshop was held at the Richie Fernando Covered Courts, Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City. Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ gave the talk.

Musica Chiesa at Antipolo Music Workshop

13 April 2008. Musica Chiesa and Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ gave a Liturgical Music Workshop to the Parish of San Isidro Labrador in Antipolo, Rizal. JMM was invited by Fr. Alexander V. Enhaynes, the parish priest, and Mr. Bobot Purisima, the head of the music ministry. Kevin San Agustin, coordinator of Musica Chiesa, came with Musica Chiesa’s Carlo, Aris and Edrick Tuazon and Silke and Twinkle Hipolito.

Musica Chiesa Produces Songbook

14 March 2008. Musica Chiesa produces Dakilang Pag-ibig, a tribute songbook to Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros SJ. This is the foreword which I wrote:

Since the beginning of time, great musicians have used their brilliance to move and inspire humanity. Responding to the call of Vatican II to bring the liturgy closer to the people, Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros SJ have used music to bring people to prayer and worship. When Fr. Honti passed away on the 15th of January 2008, he left an enormous collection of liturgical songs, many of which have been sung in churches here and abroad. Who can forget Pananagutan, Dakilang Pag-ibig, Paghahandog ng Sarili (Kunin Mo O Diyos) and Papuri sa Diyos?

This songbook contains uplifting hymns to God that encapsulate the faith of Filipinos. The simplicity of language and melody marks superb liturgical music: the more the congregation are able to like the melodies and sing them with fervor, the better.

We have added new choral and musical arrangements for SATB, string quartet and other instruments to give these songs a new twist. Concert excerpts from Fr. Honti’s Panunuluyan for the Christmas season or the Talinghaga for parables set in music may inspire you to use the complete collection of songs for the stage.

But to me, a great songbook is judged by the frequency of its use. The footnotes will then be of importance: it will tell you the liturgical season and parts when the song can be sung.

If, however, one of these songs made one whole congregation sing with passionate pleasure to the Lord, then, this songbook will truly have succeeded — and will make Fr. Honti happy.

Ad majorem Dei gloriam.