May 1, 2013
East Coast USA and Canada Hold Music Summit 2013
Queens, New York – A great many songs of praises were sang and danced in the recently-concluded Music Summit of East Coast USA and Canada on April 20 to 21 this year, showcasing the God-given talents of the Music Ministry members. The two-day event was also packed with activities geared to further cultivate their gifts in music.
Locale Choir members and Teatro Kristiano or the Church’s Dance Ministry members traveled from San Diego, Texas, Chicago, New Jersey, Maryland, and Montreal, Canada to New York in order to take part in the Summit. Participants journeyed as far as 2,800 miles by plane and 18 hours by land to join the musical event.
Tagapangasiwang Pampook assigned in the East Coast USA and Canada Division, Bro. Marvin Go opened the first day of the Music Summit with a brief yet hearty talk via live stream. Bro. Josel Mallari, the Minister-in-Charge in the same Division, immediately followed to render a welcoming speech before the participants. In an empowering speech, Bro. Josel talked about the value of Music Ministry.
“In all the things that we do in our services, what is for God is our praising Him with songs and dances,” remarked Bro. Josel, then adding, “It is a commandment to sing praises.
“The talents you are given are different. You are all given singing voices to use in praising God. That is our blessing,” Bro. Josel stressed.
The Music Summit officially started at 7:00 p.m. EST on April 20. On the first day of the competition, locale choir members sang their prepared Tanging Awit presentations and a Church Hymn that was chosen on the spot by the panel of judges.
Meanwhile, the Teatro Kristiano from various states also showed their talent in acting and dancing during the choir’s common piece number.
The guest speakers during the second day were Bro. Bong Rueda and Bro. Perry Cuaresma, senior members of the Music Ministry Core. Through live stream, Bro. Bong and Bro. Perry entertained questions from the participants regarding their performance of duties in the Music Ministry and Teatro Kristiano.
Bro. John Paul Cruz, one of the judges in the Summit, also gave a short lecture in reading musical notes and music appreciation.
The over-all champions for the Music Summit were the locales of Montreal (3rd place), New York (2nd place), and Toronto (1st Place). Participants from Toronto, Canada made use of technology to stream their presentations online from their hometown.
(Words and photos by Pauline Arellano)
