MCGI’s Music Summit 2014 Puts Focus on Strengthening of Faith Over Talent

Apalit, Pampanga – Strengthening of faith over knowledge sharing will be the focus of the main program of the International Music Summit of the Members Church of God International (MCGI).

Now on its 14th year, the yearly convention is one of the biggest gatherings of chorale, orchestra and band members of the Church from the Philippines and many parts of the world.

IMS will be held on May 25 this year at the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga, a province north of Manila.

Faith First

ADD Chorale conductor and IMS organizer Bro. Bong Rueda said in an interview that the goal of enhancing the chorale members’ musical knowledge has always been secondary to the goal of enriching the participants’ spiritual wisdom.

“Our goal here is to learn how to strengthen our faith,” remarked Bro. Rueda then added, “It’s not about the talent, the knowledge or the quality of our voices; but it is [about] our endurance to continue, [which is] something that is motivated by God’s teachings.”

“Like what Bro. Daniel always says, our purpose for this kind of activity is not always about technicalities,” Bro. Rueda stated.

IMS is one of the activities co-founded by Bro. Daniel Razon, the Vice-Presiding Minister to MCGI, together with Presiding Minister Bro. Eliseo Soriano in 2001.

Chorale Presentation

One of the event’s highlights – the Chorale Festival – is aimed at showcasing new original song compositions that the pre-selected regional representatives will present during the culminating activity of IMS.

The regional representatives underwent a rigorous pre-selection process held in Regional and District Music Festivals per province and country.

For this year’s Chorale Festival, the theme is about “the greatest reward for the forebearance of God’s servants.”

The 14th IMS will also feature voice clinics and music consultations.

As a venue for Music Ministry members to learn spiritual guidance that would help them in their duties in the Church, IMS provides activities and workshops that would help them enhance their skills in music.

“It’s high time that we also pay attention to [our] personality, facial expressions and performance in singing. That will be the focus of this year’s IMS workshops,” he added.

Explaining further, Bro. Bong said that “a choir is first seen before heard,” hence, the necessity to groom choir members to be presentable during performances.

A Music Summit for All

Aside from the Youth Ministry choir, the IMS is also open to members of the Locale Choir, ADD Orchestra, Church band and Music Ministry aspirants.

Organizers encourage not only members of the Church to watch and participate in the Summit but to also non-members.

(Written by Yanna Faye Ferrera)