EBC Christmas Banquet/Concert/Party

The early afternoon was marked by busyness; everyone was doing his/her own thing as all prepare for the evening. Men and women doing the kitchen, kids chorus rehearsing for the early part in the program, and a musical Korean (Koh) family rehearsing in the sanctuary.

We were given the cue to get ready, so I concluded SonBeams (kids)Choir's rehearsal with a prayer, and the Salmo (adults) Chorale grabbed the last few minutes to warm up. After Pee Wee prayed, we headed to the sanctuary.

A few moments later, the program started, with a very special cello and piano duet with Joanna Seungmin Oh and Juvy . A prayer was said by Philip, then, a strings group, composed of Carina, Corinne, and Michael Woojai did a medley of Christmas and some classical piece accompanied by Ms. Joanna Seungmin on the piano. Everyone was gladly surprised to know Corinne has learned to play the violin.

Then the SonBeams sang their repertoire. See the previous post, "EBC SonBeams Sang at SM City" for the song titles.

Pastor Roi delivered the meaningful Christmas message, "Christmas, A Time for Family to Be Together," Luke 2:16. Very timely, for there were several OFW fathers and a mother who flew home to be with their loved ones this yuletide season.

Afterwards, Peter Heeton Koh, Frank Woojin, and Michael Woojai (father and sons) sang "O Holy Night" together, accompanied by Joanna Seungmin Oh, Peter's wife on the grand piano. We were glad they shared that special evening with us; an endearing family. They had some Korean youngsters with them too.

The Salmo Chorale then took the stage and sang the following traditional English and Filipino carols:

Lo! How A Rose E'er Blooming

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Kumukutikutitap! ("Twinkly" is the most that I can to translate)

Noche Buena (Christmas Eve)-usually centered on the Christmas Eve Feast

Pasko Na Naman (It's Christmas! [Once Again!])

The night's program segued to the Christmas Party. Janeil and Jael led the people through various parlor games, exchanging gifts, et. al. and then, the Christmas Banquet.

It was a long 'Christmas Day' at the church but was a very happy one indeed. Surely, everyone had a grand and blessed time.

A very Merry Christmas to you, Emmanuel Baptist Church!

Photos courtesy of Che Santillan

EBC SonBeams Sang Carols at SM City

It was almost 7PM and we were running  late for our engagement at the SM City mall which invited my Kids & Adults choirs to sing  Christmas carols. Only the EBC SonBeams (Kids choir) obliged for the Salmo Chorale had other plans. But as we arrived, the technical crew are cramming some last minute changes.

 

The stage was already set but my contact person, Atche, who is also a church mate, advised the backstage team to clear the floor area in front of the stage because my kids would have some choreo in their performances and it looks like the stage for its size cannot be very safe for kids to move themselves around as they do their singing and choreos. So, the floor would do. Anyway, the stage will still be our backdrop. The place was quite abuzz with all the goings-on; after all, we were in a food court.

 

The place has few diners when we entered. But we brought a crowd with us and the place became semi-filled with people.  As I gave instructions to kids, I felt they were so ready and eager to begin. So on my cue, everyone stood on his/her spot. The kids were amazing.

 

The mini concert went smoothly without any technical glitch. 

 

The repertoire consisted of six songs. I planned the order for the mood to slowly pick up as concert progresses. I began with two calm songs to prepare the audience. My niece, Jaira Mae sang the solo part on the second song.  The third number is upbeat and picked up the pace, and here's where the choreo started. The fourth song temporary mellowed the pace, but sign language remained part of the performance. The fifth, is the Carols medley part of the program and we concluded with a very trendy and upbeat song with a very apt title. Here they are.

 

1. The Story of Gloria
2. The Miracle
3. Go, Tell It
4. The Christmas Tree Medley
5. The Christmas Carol Medley
6. Super Duper Christmas

 

The first five titles were selections from "Visions of Christmas" by Jeff Slaughter and the finale was taken from the Christmas Cantata with the same title, Super Duper Christmas.

 

And we did two sets that night. We were just given a 15-minute break for kids to take some rest and a sip of bottled water. Then a pizza treat for the kids courtesy of the mall as they concluded the final set.

 

Come Sunday, we will be presenting it all again in the church. The adults choir, EBC Salmo Chorale will be rendering about five songs as well. It will be a big night; and everything will begin with the Christmas Banquet. Then, we will also be having our church Christmas program after the musical presentations.

 

But of course, the highlight of it all will be the Birthday Celebrator Himself, our Lord Jesus. The world may have its focus on everything else and forget the "birthday 'Boy' " but we should be careful to remember Him for He is the only Celebrator who, instead of receiving presents, gave all that we could ever need. Even the gift of eternal life. Praise the Lord.

 

A Blessed Christmas, everyone!

       (Photos courtesy of Nadine Cruz and Bethel Faye Galvez)

SonBeams to SM City

The EBC SonBeams Choir will be serenading SM City Foodcourt this December. Last year, they sang with the EBC Salmo Chorale in the same mall, but in The Event Center. Then after the Cantata, they serenaded the stores until about 10 PM. They were very happy as they went home with a lot of treats from all the stores they delighted.

They have been excitedly rehearsing for the upcoming engagement, bless them. Salmo could have sang again too, but due to some reasons (one, the original plan was for them to serenade homes instead; and two, many singers have other plans for the Yuletide season, so quite a number of them won't be able to join this year's Choral Christmas events). Sigh.

*The image was taken last year in the church, as they sang carols in the Vesper Service.