Korista Ako

Nurse by day, chorister by night (and perhaps weekends). This is no unusual set up, and I really admire people who can fulfill both professional and artistic aspects of their lives.

I know there are many a Filipino choral groups abroad, and it is such a great thought that Filipinos in all corners of the world don’t stop making music! Here is our next Korista Ako feature, a Filipino nurse and chorister who now resides in the US, Carlo Zenarosa. Carlo is currently a member of the United Nations Singers, composed of choristers of different nationalities, who recently had goodwill performances in Japan.

Korista of the month, Carlo Zenarosa. Photo credit: Carlo Zenarosa.
Korista of the month, Carlo Zenarosa. Photo credit: Carlo Zenarosa.

Name: Carlo Zenarosa

Current profession: Registered Nurse

Choirs joined:
1. De La Salle College Grade School Choir
2. Class choirmaster 1st year HS for inter-year Christmas choral competition.
3. Musica Armonica Youth Ensemble (with Madz alumna Bernadette de Leon choirmaster)
4. San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir of New York 2010-current (with Leo Leal and Enrico Lagasca as choirmasters with founder-original choirmaster)
5. United Nations Singers 2015-current.

Favourite song arranged and composed for choir: He mentioned a number of songs, but among these his most favourite would be Take and Receive, an Ignatian prayer.

Hardest piece to study: Cayabyab’s Anima Christi

Choirs I look up to: Madz, UST Singers, King’s Singers, Manhattan Transfer

Most unforgettable choir moment: Impressing Cardinal Tagle at a mass presented with an honorary degree in Fordham University. Unable to get a picture while in the choir section, the archbishop leaves after mass with the crowd. The choir decides to take a group shot while the jam-packed church guests go to reception. Cardinal Tagle left his entourage, comes out of nowhere and joins the choir for the group picture. #floored #humbled #selfie

This was the photo he was talking about, with our beloved Cardinal!
This was the photo he was talking about, with our beloved Cardinal!

#KoristaAko dahil: Naniniwala ako na ang musika –sa kalawakan ng genre at classification — ay may mga kanta na mas maibabahagi lamang sa samahan at areglo ng mga boses ng iba’t ibang ranges o seksyon.

The United Nations Singers in their most recent performance in Hiroshima, Japan, August 2015.
The United Nations Singers in their most recent performance in Hiroshima, Japan, August 2015.

Thank you, Carlo for sharing your thoughts! What a great way to represent one’s nation than with song.

 

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