Student singers perform for the Pope
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Choir members from Loyola: Amabelle Garcia and Jaimee Bocasan
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Students from Catholic schools in the Parramatta diocese who are part of the World Youth Day (WYD08) Choir will be singing before the Pope and a crowd of 500,000 at the Final Mass on 20 July.
The 20 students who are members of the 300-strong WYD08 Choir attend Loyola Senior High, Mt Druitt, Nagle College, Blacktown South, Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown and Clare Catholic High, Hassall Grove. Also singing in the choir are students from other Sydney Catholic schools and 100 singers from around Australia. The choir is being prepared by 27-year-old Sydney-based chorus-master, David Russell.
Over the past few months, the choir has been rehearsing each week at Christian Brothers’ College, Burwood. As the big event gets closer, they have been gathering more frequently including practices at St Mary’s Cathedral.
Choir member Amabelle Garcia from Loyola Senior High, says she and her fellow singers have learnt a lot being in the choir.
‘The tutors teach us proper techniques and remind us of simple things like smiling when singing as it does make the sound a whole lot better. We are also told that as a choir we must look like one whole, and if we fidget it will be noticed especially as there may be cameras filming.’
As well as singing at the final WYD08 Mass, Amabelle and her fellow choir members will perform the English and international versions of the WYD08 Song, Receive the Power at the opening and closing of each of the major events, excluding the Stations of the Cross.
‘Being a young Catholic who is into her faith, the simplicity of WYD being in my backyard makes me buzz,’ says Amabelle, who is in Year 11
‘Being in the WYD08 Choir is the cherry on the top of my experience leading up to WYD. I am most definitely looking forward to singing at WYD. I think the highlights for me will be the Pope’s arrival and the Final Mass. To perform before such as large crowd and see a sea of people sharing that same Mass with me will be just awesome.’
WYD08 chief operating officer Danny Casey says, ‘When the youth of the world arrive at our major events or watch them unfold on television screens around the globe, they will witness not only the peace and joy that young people experience in a spiritual gathering, but also the spectacular musical talents that young Australians have to offer’.
‘The performances will no doubt be remembered as highlights in our musicians’ professional careers and personal lives.’
WYD08 begins on 15 July and concludes on Sunday 20 July.
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