PRAISE FOR VOICES
A
TAGLINE of the Tourism Board of Australia urges tourists to experience
Australia in a different light.
From June 17 to 24, 2004, the Voices of Praise Choir did just
that. Instead of just taking in the usual sights of Melbourne,
the choir presented a praise concert of spirituals and contemporary
Christian music at the state-of-the-art Robert Blackwood Concert
Hall in the Clayton Campus of Monash University on June 19, 2004.
The concert was mooted by Mr
Theodore Loo, organising chairman of the concert and a long-time
friend of mine. He had heard that the choir had been raising funds
for churches in Singapore since 2000.
After months of co-ordination, toil and prayers, the Voices of
Praise presented a concert, "Sing, Sing, Sing: With A Voice
of Singing", in aid of the South Camberwell Uniting Church-Gospel
Hall's Christian Education project.
Despite inclement weather, the concert hall was almost filled
to capacity with an audience of close to 900 people. The choir
enthralled the audience with a diverse repertoire of songs - from
local composition "Be a Blessing" by resident music
director Dr Emilia Wong to classics like "Every Valley"
and "With a Voice of Singing" to gospel numbers like
"In a Different Light".
Besides raising funds for the church and receiving positive comments
about the choir's performances, the choir scored another high
point - its visit to Melbourne had strengthened the espirit de
corps of choir members, deepened their devotion to God, and uplifted
the spirits of all who came to hear them.
The choir also ministered at three churches' services in Melbourne
- Wesley Uniting Church, South Camberwell Uniting Church-Gospel
Hall and Swanston Street Church of Christ.
It is our prayer that the Voices of Praise will always bring the
message of God's love through music to the community and beyond.
Ong Keng Tian is the Chairman of Voices of Praise Choir and a member of Charis Methodist Church.