GEARING UP FOR the upcoming Christmas season, the San Beda Chamber Chorale (SBCC) spearheaded the first part of the Mens Concordet Voci, a special workshop on liturgical music aiming to learn and practice songs for Advent and Christmas at Room 34L of St. Anselm Building last November 13. 

Rev. Dom Eugenio Labrague, OSB, a deacon at the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat Manila, led the workshop and opened with a lecture on the background of liturgical songs for Advent and Christmas. Christine Sanchez, President of the SBCC and Activity Chairperson of the event, asserted that the goal of the event was to “enable them to be fully prepared for actual performance.” 

In his discussion and workshop, Rev. Labrague expressed the importance of “infusing one’s inner emotions with chorale singing in order to augment the delivery of the choir,” teaching the attendees how to “effectively use instruments that coincide with the singing.” 

In line with this, the SBCC president also posited the importance of both “technical ability and emotion,” saying that “we should remember that these two important aspects must go hand in hand, as this is to be able to deliver a more captivating performance.” 

The absence of these, she continued, “would impact the performance and the experience of the audience.” 

In talking about how the event would impact the participation during the Eucharistic Celebration, Sanchez stressed how the activity would lead to more “active participation,” thus aiding the Bedan community “to have a deeper connection with God and foster a sense of unity and belonging.” 

As a conclusory statement to the discussion, the SBCC president closed by saying “the best qualities to have as a member of a chorale is the sense of teamwork and belongingness,” adding that “as you get to work together as a group, you are able to connect and build friendships with each other, kaya magiging mas comfortable ka in each other’s company in the long run.” 

Setting their sights onto the second part of the Mens Concordet Voci, Sanchez emphasized the opportunity to learn liturgical songs for Lent and Holy Week. “We are planning to invite the whole Bedan community, so abangan niyo next semester,” she said.