You have no doubt heard of Daphne Sequeira, the creator of a choir that many look forward to for
Don Bosco’s midnight services at Christmas and Easter / Holy Week. With
practices starting 3 months prior to Christmas, it’s no wonder this commitment
rings in the Birth of Jesus with all glory and honor fit for a King. Daphne’s
Choir deeply enhances the solemnity of the midnight mass with the right
selection of hymns and carols that bring home the meaning of Christmas to all
those who listen.
She’s more than just a Conductor – She’s a
singer, a musician, a teacher, a spiritual mentor and a friend to those who she
trains. “You can fulfil just about anything if you are dedicated to your
mission in serving the Lord and are prepared to invest in all the hard work
called for” says Daphne.
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Today’s music and attitude that come as a
package, stray the youth as far away from church as you can imagine. But Daphne
successfully charms these youngsters towards church music with her positivity
and encouragement. This is testified by the number of budding musicians and
singers in her choir. Daphne’s voice is one that these youth want to hear more
of.
Daphne feels that she has to share her
gift with those around her and believes that singing hymns as St. Agustine says
is ‘Praying twice’. She has imparted this even to the youth answering exams
that God does not forget the sacrifice made by those who give their time to
singing and practices.
Presently she continues to tutor a number
of students at the Don Bosco Oratory in voice training and keyboard with
children ranging from the tender age of 4 years to adults. Besides training
others, Daphne has not only trained her daughters Martina and Melody but even
her young granddaughter Rebecca who sang her first Carol ‘Away in a Manger at
the age of 5 years for the midnight mass at Don Bosco. Under her training and
guidance, Rebecca recorded her very own gospel CD called ‘Wonderfully made”
composed by her mother which is a favourite amongst the children.
Daphne has members of the choir who come from as far as
Calangute, Mapusa and Vasco for practices and this year included Jolene who is
physically challenged but as spirited as all the other members. Her choir is a
blend of the young and old alike with loyal members still in attendance as it
was 25 years ago when the choir was formed. The choir is also blessed with
Ruben, a budding composer who wrote the music / harmony for this year’s Gloria
and parts of the mass, not only for the vocals but also for the stringed
quartet who joined in for the very first time and was a well-blended addition
to the Choir. Committed musicians like Xavier Peres, Ian Noronha, Darryl
Figueiredo, Glen, Chernoll Mendonca among others have time and again rendered
their talents and this is what sets Daphne’s Choir apart… they work as one
family.
With this desire to make a difference even to those who are
unable to attend the midnight services, she inspires her choir to join in once
again for the morning services on Christmas and Easter and the members keep up
this commitment.
It’s
not an easy task to manage a choir strength of 45 to 50 members, but Daphne
does it with ease. Her conducting skills go way beyond the notes and words onto
something far more spiritual and meaningful. Her motivation is always the Lord
who provides the people and talents required to do His work. The results are
there for everyone to hear.
