Celebration of music, celebration of brotherhood

By Fr. Drans Nolasco, SDB

Makati City, the Philippines, 9 March 2019 -- In the early 2000, the Office for the Development of the Educational Apostolate of the Schools of Don Bosco Philippine-North Province (ODEA) started the annual gathering of the different Don Bosco campus in the Philippines North Province (FIN) for the Cultural Festival. Its goal was to promote the arts in its various forms in our schools and among Bosconians. However, this annual gathering has been put on hold since 2012.

But in July 2017, with fresh impetus and renewed drive, the different music teachers and choir in-charge of the different Don Bosco schools in the FIN proposed to revive the Cultural Festival. Thus, Bosconcierto was born.

Bosconcierto was first staged in February of last school year, 2017-2018, inspired and challenged by Don Bosco’s vision of a holistic formation of the young. “A school without music is like a body without a soul,” St. John Bosco used to say.

The different choir in-charge and representatives from * Don Bosco Technical Institute- Tarlac City, * Don Bosco Academy - Mabalacat and Bacolor in Pampanga, * Don Bosco Technical Institute – Makati City, * Don Bosco Technical College – Mandaluyong City, * Don Bosco College – Canlubang, Laguna, and * Don Bosco School - Sta. Rosa, Laguna, took the challenge of coming together to create music together and share this gift in a concert.

It was a daunting challenge. The choirs were at different levels of expertise, some were advanced while others were just newly formed and were just starting. Practices were held by schools from October to December 2017. And in February 2018, Bosconcierto became a reality.

And because of this positive impact it gave to the young people of these different Don Bosco Schools, Bosconcierto 2019 was a non-negotiable. Except for Don Bosco School – Sta. Rosa, Laguna, all the other six schools who participated at the first Bosconcierto were present to let the curtain open and their harmonious voices be heard.

Held again at the Braga Theater of Don Bosco Technical Institute – Makati City last March 09, 2019 from 5:00 in the afternoon until 7:00 in the evening, Bosconcierto captured again the hearts of the audience and the participants as well. The Grand Finale was the most awaited inasmuch as all the participating choirs joined together in singing as one grand bosconian chorale.

Bosconcierto is a celebration of music. It is a celebration of brotherhood, of Bosconians coming together to share and learn from each other, of making music together and sharing this to everyone who comes and watches the production.

The dream continues. The hope remains--may the music of Bosconcierto continue to ring in our hearts and may it continue to inspire many more Bosconians to share their wonderful gift of music.

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