By Maria Luisa Beatriz with contributions from Radio Veritas Asia (RVA)
HONG KONG (SE): More than 150 student singers, conductors and music educators from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered at Saint Francis University from June 17 to 21 for the inaugural Asia-Pacific Catholic Universities Choirs [APCU] Choral Symposium, a landmark initiative that celebrated sacred music as a powerful instrument of unity, dialogue and evangelisation.
Held under the theme “Harmony in Diversity,” the five-day symposium brought together participants from Catholic universities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines and Timor-Leste. Through keynote lectures, workshops, rehearsals and performances, the event fostered cultural exchange while strengthening bonds among Catholic institutions throughout the region.
In his keynote address, “Harmony in Diversity,” Monsignor Jose Luis Diaz-Mariblanca Sanchez reflected on the theological significance of choral singing as an expression of ecclesial communion.
“We have been created by the abundance of God’s love, and the fact that we are many and very different is good in itself,” he said. “Only through that diversity are we able to represent more adequately the goodness and perfection of God.”
Drawing on the experience of singing in a choir, Monsignor Sanchez noted that choristers learn the values of listening, cooperation and pursuing a common purpose. He described the synchronisation of voices, breathing and even heartbeats in choral performance as a powerful image of the Christian call to become “one heart and one soul.”
Quoting Pope Leo XIV, he encouraged participants to embrace diversity as a gift and a source of enrichment. “Transforming diversity into a resource and making listening and dialogue the common ground upon which to cultivate justice and fraternity is not only possible, but the way we want to build our future,” he said.
In second keynote lecture, “The Spirituality of Choral Sacred Music,” Felix Yeung, director of music at St. John’s Cathedral, described sacred choral music as a profound form of prayer and worship that deepens believers’ relationship with God.
Referring to the well-known saying attributed to St. Augustine that those who sing “pray twice,” Yeung explained that both the sacred text and the music inspired by it become acts of prayer. He also highlighted the communal nature of choir singing, noting that choristers are invited to move beyond individual expression and become part of a greater whole.
The symposium welcomed choirs from four Catholic institutions: De La Salle University, Fu Jen Catholic University, Universidade Católica Timorense and Saint Francis University. Participants took part in intensive rehearsals and masterclasses under the artistic direction of renowned Japanese composer and conductor Ko Matsushita.
The symposium culminated in a gala concert at Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium on June 20. The evening opened with a prayer led by Monsignor Sanchez, who reflected on how music had brought together young people from different nations, cultures and languages. Quoting Psalm 133, he reminded participants and guests, “How beautiful it is where brothers live in harmony,” before entrusting the gathering to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu, vicar general of the Diocese of Hong Kong, expressed gratitude to Saint Francis University for hosting the symposium and organising the closing concert. Professor Annie Bligh, provost of the university, thanked the presidents of the participating institutions, as well as the artistic and music directors whose efforts contributed to the success of the event.
The concert featured performances by each participating choir, showcasing the rich musical and cultural traditions of their respective communities.
The Schola Cantorum of Fu Jen Catholic University opened the programme with a prayerful rendition of Dona Nobis Pacem, creating an atmosphere of worship and reflection. Their performance of two Chinese sacred works demonstrated reverence and spiritual depth.
The Saint Francis University Choir, established only in 2024, impressed the audience with its musical maturity and polished presentation. Building on recent performances at Hong Kong’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and a concert tour of Italy, where members sang in St. Peter’s Square and several major basilicas, the choir presented contemporary works by local and international composers that highlighted its versatility and rapid artistic growth.
The choir of Universidade Católica Timorense brought warmth and vitality to the stage. Their moving interpretation of John Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You resonated deeply with the audience, while Sei Rasa Sei captivated listeners with its expressive beauty.
One of the evening’s highlights was the performance of the De La Salle University Chorale, widely regarded as one of the leading choral ensembles in the region. Their rendition of O Magnum Mysterium demonstrated remarkable control and artistry, while their lively presentation of Cikala Le Pong Pong, accompanied by choreographed movements, revealed both energy and versatility.
The concert concluded with all participating choirs joining together under the direction of Ko Matsushita. Leading the combined ensemble in his compositions Cantate Domino and Ave Verum Corpus in F, Matsushita united voices from different nations in a single expression of faith and praise.
Organisers expressed hope that the inaugural symposium would become a lasting platform for collaboration among Catholic universities, encouraging artistic exchange and fostering greater appreciation of the spiritual, cultural and social value of sacred choral music.
More than a celebration of musical excellence, the symposium demonstrated how sacred music can transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries, fostering friendship, dialogue and communion among young Catholics across the Asia-Pacific region. In a world often marked by division, the gathering offered a joyful witness to the unifying power of faith expressed through song.
