Sacred Music holds paramount importance among the many signs and symbols used in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The function of Sacred Music is ministerial and serves to express and share the faith of the congregation.With this in mind the core team of the centenary choir finalized the hymns and parts of the Mass to correspond with the rubrics of the Centenary Mass.
Sr. Lillis, the Assistant Superior General through her letter of 15th March 2021 ascertained the willingness of the sisters to join the centenary choir. Mr. Michael Peria hailing from Secunderabad, a renowned liturgist and a veteran in church choir, with a professional background of film, multimedia, automation of training, possessing personal and organizational grooming skills invited the sisters for an audition in order to select members of the choir. Thereafter sisters were allotted to different groups such as soprano, alto, bass and tenor. The finalised list of choir members was published on 31st of March.
The first zoom meet was organized on April 19th,2021 chaired by Sr.Lillis. Members were introduced to the group. The members were informed of the necessary requirements to begin the practice of the sacred songs. Hats off to dear Sr Lillis for her zeal and enthusiasm in keeping track with the choir members and for enthusing us whenever there was an opportunity.
WhatsApp groups were created and a leader was selected for each group. Mr.Michal Peria, the choir master would post a hymn once in four days . All the choir members were required to learn their part as well as the entire hymn and post it in their respective WhatsApp groups within the stipulated time. This was checked and corrected by the group leaders under the supervision of the choir master and at times by himself. This helped to become proficient in their individual singing and thereafter blend it with the group to create a harmonious whole.
The zoom meetings conducted at regular intervals gave us a platform to share our experiences of learning new hymns under the guidance of the choir master. We were given certain tips for accurate learning of the hymns and to distinguish the difference between learning the Indian hymns and English Hymns. It’s a new learning experience to acquire professional skills of choir singing and we are confident that practice will make us perfect.
News by: Sr Sujaya BS,Southern Province