Dream Big

“Dream Big”

Sun.Star Davao, March 9, 2013

A few years ago, the dream of having a high school orchestra seemed to be an ambitious project for Davao Christian High School (DCHS).

But, through the collaboration of Patricia Chambi Soriano of Zion Praise Ministry, Inc. (ZPMI) and the DCHS administration, the school started its Practical Music Course (PMC) in 2009 which taught students how to play either the piano, guitar, violin, drums, keyboards, cello, saxophone, or flute.

“Our goal is that every Christian child worships the Lord through excellent music. We aim to train and fully develop God’s gift of music in every child and use this for His greater glory”, says Jermaine Misterio, conductor of ZPMI.

The ZPMI, which has been helping schools in Luzon and Mindanao strengthen their music curriculum since 2002, has held countless concerts, recitals and music camps participated by thousands of their students.

Recently, the DCHS Parents-Teachers Fellowship organized “Dream Big”, a concert for a cause presenting the exemplary talents of the Davao Christian High School Orchestra. It is the school’s first organized orchestra and holds the distinction of being the first high school orchestra in Davao.

With 50 strings and 12 woodwinds in the orchestra, and twice-weekly after school rehearsals since September 2012, the DCHS Orchestra came up with a very impressive concert which delighted the jam-packed audience composed of their supportive family, teachers and friends.

The first part of the DCHS Orchestra’s first-ever concert featured their passionate rendition of the “Lord’s Prayer”, “Winter Games” and “One Moment in Time” with Maria Colmcille Isadora Lim on vocals.

This was followed by the equally talented DCHS Choir’s upbeat version of “Magandang Gabi”, “Pilimon”, “Sitsiritsit” and “Holy Holy”.

Performing stellar intermission numbers were Hayeon Jeong (piano): “Summer”; Sharcele Galope (piano): “Hungarian Dance”; Belle Patrice Fuentes (violin): “Czardas”; and with the special participation of the adorable DCHS Preschool and Grade School Bands.

Meanwhile, the third part of the concert proudly showcased the DCHS Choir’s soulful interpretation of “Wind Beneath My Wings”, “Just the Way You Are”, and “Tuwing Umuulan”.

The “Disney Medley” (with flutist Karl Valderama), “Dreams That You Wish” and “This Is The Moment” (Vocals: Andrew Angelo Topinio), on the other hand, were the highlights of the fourth part of the show.

The orchestra’s finale piece, “When You Believe”, beautifully sung by Denise Cabiles and the DCHS Choir, was a fitting number to end the show. For it just proves that when one believes, big dreams do come true!

Special thanks to Davao Christian High School student Chang Fan Li for the “Dream Big” photos.

Catch the Davao Christian High School Orchestra as they perform on March 21, 2013 (Thursday), 5-6pm at the Abreeza Mall as part of ZPMI-PMC Grand Recital.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.