How  would  you describe  the CRL Choir?   A  group  of   “committed  individuals  who consider their relationship with the Lord as the heart of their singing,” says the inimitable soprano, Mimi Damian. She has been singing with the Choir since 1980.   “The  Choir  is one big family. And just like a big family, may mga member na mas committed  kay sa iba. Kaya  we consistently experience God’s  intervention everytime we deliver kahit na hindi natin mabubuo sa  rehearsals  yong  ibang  kanta,” Agot  Espino quips.  He  has been  the Choir’s skillful and ever-patient accompanist since 1993.He also doubles as conductor when the Choir has none.

 The  Choir “just loves to sing  for the Lord,”  Mildred  Ganaden  simply  declares. Having sung with the Choir since 1961, when it was still known as the UPCYM Choir,  she is presently the reliable lead in the alto section. Of course,  she met her husband Reuben  in the Choir. He joined in 1957.

 There are about 30 “regulars” in the batch of 1997. This number hasn’t changed much since its founding in 1954.  “There were 30 of  them  in  the Choir, but  during  Christmas  concerts  the  number would reach 50,” reminisces Mrs. Flora  Z.  Rivera, the first Choir Director, who refers to it as the first organized choral group in UP. (Incidently, she’s also the founder of the famed UP Cherubims  and  Seraphims).  Students, professors, doctors, lawyers, engineers, artists, businessmen, managers, and  a  few  retirees  comprise  the  membership  that  spans  three generations. Majority of them definitely know the role of  the Choir in the CRL ministry.

 Aside from enriching the worship with anthems, choral offertories and responses, the Choir “leads the congregational singing,” Gamy Viray and Reuben Ganaden point out. “Its members should  also visit the sick and cheer them with a song or two,” Miriam Covar  opines. “Mahirap tanggihan ang request na kumanta ang Choir pag may mamatay,” cites Angeling Cipriano. Oftentimes, it is also requested to sing during weddings.

 The Choir prepares for five concerts every year: the Love Concert in February, the Holy Week Cantata,  the  Anniversary  Worship  through Music,  the University  Christmas Gala, and the Carols by Candlelight. Among these, the Carols by Candlelight is the oldest tradition. Mrs. Rivera recounts: “It  was on  the first Sunday  of  December 1954, when  at dusk,  the  Choir  with lighted candles led the procession of church members  from  the old chapel to the present site of CRL where we sang Christmas carols. Then  we proceeded to the Veterans’ Hospital  to sing to the patients there.  By  the  way,  the  main event in CRL that year was the Christmas Concert.”

 The Choir’s Holy Week activity  this  year included singing with  the Choir of  the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice during an ecumenical Easter celebration at the Sunken Garden where gifts and goodwill were exchanged by the two churches. This is the second time that the two choirs sang together. The first was in the early 1960s with Mrs. Rivera and Father Pat Liim at the helm.

 The Choir is always busy towards the last quarter of the year but the members, by God’s grace, are always up to it. So what do the group do in between rigid rehearsals? “All  work and no play” makes  the members grumpy.  So  there  is  the regular “chikahan” over snacks on Saturday before rehearsals that almost everybody looks forward to. It even gets more exciting when birthday celebrants treat them to supper after a gruelling rehearsal. May  biruan, tuksuhan, konsultasyon kung minsan, at  higit  sa lahat masarap ang kainan at kwentohan. At siempre, walang pikonan, katuwaan lamang. Needless to say, this fellowship tightens the bond that binds these kindred souls together.

 One wonders what keeps the Choir members singing? They want to serve the Lord? They enjoy singing? They’ve been doing it since they were little children? Or, is it the pleasant memories that some members have cherished through the years?   Like their  monthly fellowships, retreats, outings, outreach programs, the Luzon tours, and the tour around the country they once had in the early 1960s with Mrs. Palm. Perhaps all these and more.

Listen to what they say. “I work in the ‘insane’ world of the theatre. Singing in the Choir is a way of  keeping my sanity. It brings me back to earth and keeps me calm,” Alex Cortez readily answers. “From the many conflicts which I daily encounter in the course of  my  job,  I come to the Choir  seeking  refuge and  I  always  find it,” Nene Rubrico replies. Miriam Calaguas echoes this sentiment, “I come  to the Choir from the conflicts outside.” Letty Morales says: “Once I lost my voice. My sister advised me to return to the Choir before I totally lose it.  I’m glad I did.”

 Every member has a special reason for being in the Choir. Yet, no matter how varied these reasons may be, they are ignited and kept aglow by the Spirit that keeps the fire of serving the Lord burning in their hearts. No wonder the Choir has incessantly been  blessing and comforting many through its musical offerings. And by the grace of God,  it   remains a dynamic partner in the CRL ministry  as it sings through the years. (jaguar)