International church members joining Tabernacle Choir again this weekend

SALT LAKE CITY — Ten members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are excited to represent their own countries and areas of the world as international members of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during this weekend's general conference. It's part of an ongoing effort to help the choir reach members around the world.

Many of the international members, who come from eight different countries, said singing with the choir has been a lifelong dream.

JinHyoung Park, of South Korea, said his father was a choir conductor, so he learned about music when he was young. Now, he is excited to sing with the Tabernacle Choir, which he said is no longer "America's choir."

"It's the world's choir, and we are the witness of the gathering of Israel. ... I really am part of the restoration and the gathering of Israel," he told KSL.com.

Park said people in Korea are often shy and underestimate their abilities. He encouraged other Koreans to try out for the world-renowned choir. He said he feels a lot of love from the group of international members, missionaries who have helped them and the whole choir.

Auditioning and training

When Idaliz Santiago, from Puerto Rico, heard about the program allowing international members to join the choir, she thought, "This is my opportunity ... at last."

She has been in choirs her whole life, but her experience in Salt Lake City adds another level of professionalism and she has learned so much. English is not her first language so the requirement to memorize lyrics was difficult for Santiago. She said she has experienced the gift of tongues, or what members believe is a divinely bestowed ability to speak another language.

Yanina Murga, from Ecuador, is a professional opera singer and runs a music academy, but even with those skills, she agreed the auditioning process was intimidating.

"They were not only hearing the voice, but the spirit that you use to sing the hymns. That made me feel so nervous," she said.

Murga said she tries to teach young people about music and musical culture, and said Heavenly Father will send opportunities — like singing with the choir — to people when they are ready.

And while the audition process was nerve-wracking, Aaron Wi-Repa, from New Zealand, expressed gratitude.

"Understanding the standard for the choir meant that it was going to be a rigorous process, and I'm so glad that it was, because it's going to help raise the ... standard, I think, in our own countries, of people that are wanting to be a part of this experience," he said.

Wi-Repa said the group has a very rigorous schedule, as they are condensing four months of choir practices into two weeks of learning the songs.

"To say it's been intense is an understatement, but it's been so necessary, and we've loved every part of it, and we want to eat it up and learn some more," he said.

They have practices with just their group, on their own and with the whole choir. Wi-Repa said they feel like part of the choir.

10 international singers join Tabernacle Choir for church's general conference

In an effort to expand the reach of the Tabernacle Choir, the Church of Jesus Christ invited 10 international members to temporarily join the choir for general conference.

Returning for a 2nd round

Sundae Mae Indino, who is from the Philippines, is singing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for the second time. She said she has kept in touch with the group of international singers from April's general conference.

"I'm excited to sing again with the Tabernacle Choir because I just love the spirit that I feel when I sing songs during conference," she said.

Since the last time she participated with the choir, Indino has seen an increase in the number of members in the Philippines who are appreciating sacred music — especially younger members.

She said people who listen to songs and talks and general conference will have their questions answered.

"I've also had my prayers answered through the songs that we sing, and I hope that many people can experience that from their homes from our countries," Indino said.

Visit to Salt Lake City

Hikari Harvey, of Japan, said she has received so much love since she arrived in Utah and she wants to be able to share her gratitude through her songs. The first time she sang with the Tabernacle Choir, she said she felt like she was in the temple.

The group was able to visit the Bishop's Storehouse and learn about the church's humanitarian efforts. Harvey said there are so many ways people can be involved in the church, through music and other service efforts.

Miguel Rodriguez, from Puerto Rico, said the international choir members have witnessed miracles since they arrived in Salt Lake City.

"It feels like we are singing with angels," he said.

Idaliz Santiago said they met with the music department of the church during their visit, and talked about music programs in their own areas and countries.

"I appreciate that they are taking into consideration what we have to say," she said.

A message to their home countries

Gianfranco Vizzini, from South Africa, said he hoped to share a message with other areas of the world that they are good enough, and their voices can be represented in the choir.

"The privilege of being able to say that South Africa is good enough and we have produced something that can compete on this level is remarkable. And I just feel so grateful. And I wanted to shout on top of the mountain tops — to say that South Africa is here, and that anybody can do it. Embrace your difference, embrace your race, embrace your culture," he said.

Vizzini said the spirit of the music in Salt Lake City with the Tabernacle Choir is the same as he feels at home and, now he cherishes his earlier experiences with church music a little more.

"I feel very special to be here, but the message and the spirit of the music — it's the same," he said.

Esteban Ojeda, of Puerto Rico, said the scriptures say God remembers everyone, even those on the islands of the sea, and performing in the choir is a testimony of that.

"I want everyone in all of those islands to understand that God remembers all of us. He knows who we are, no matter where we are in the world," he said.

Wi-Repa said he represents the Pacific Area, which has 17 countries and many beautiful voices. He encourages others to come share them.

"Come and bring your talent. Be prepared to learn. Be prepared to grow. Be prepared to change," he said. "If this is what you want, then here's an opportunity for you."

Tin Kin Lam, from Hong Kong, said he has been astonished by the ability of the 10 international singers to catch up with the rest of the choir — and the ability of the choir directors to bring them up to speed. He said he has now sung many of the songs with the choir that he used to listen to, and the experience is surreal.

The experience, he said, has been validation that the effort and time he puts into music for church worship is worth it.

"I really hope that I can, one day, have that same feeling back home as I have here ... and have that experience of strengthening testimony with music shared with, you know, my people," Lam said.

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