By Noel Serrano"THEY WERE SURROUNDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE ECHOES OF LIFE INSPIRED A GENERATION IN SONG!"
In 1975, The Choir: "Ecos De Vida" was scheduled to sing at Randalls Island. There was a "Yiye Avila" Revival and many churches were assembling. There was much anticipation in the choice of the selections for that evening. Two songs were selected for the revival. "Engrandecido Sea Dios" and "Los Cielos Proclaman La Gloria De Dios" The Choir had rehearsed for this event but there were some problems with the second song. The timing and the counterpoints were not coming together in the rehearsals. There were also different soloists for this second time around, never the less, the Choir positioned themselves in the large platform overlooking the crowded stadium at Randall's Island. The Choir was accompanied by the Pastor, Rev. Berrios, who was sitting with the other ministers in a special box in front of the platform. The Ministers were all asking "who is this Choir?" "Whose Choir is this?" The Pastor joyously replied, "It's my Choir, that Choir is mine" He was so proud of his beloved "Coro" and repeated "Ese es mi Coro" The rich blue robes were now shimmering in the windswept evening and the moon was now visibly high above the crowded stadium. The Choir sang "Engrandecido Sea Dios" and it was clear and powerful. This song was an old favorite and it went smooth. The Choir then, began to sing the very difficult classic "Los Cielos Proclaman La Gloria De Dios" There were acoustical problems and this attributed to the breakdown in the sequence of counterpoints and the smooth flow of voices. It is amazing that the sopranos continued the selection and never faltered and that attributed to the fact the the bulk of the Choir was able to regain the harmony throughout the very difficult musical rendition.
The Choir had completed the choral melody and never imagined what laid ahead. The Pastor, realizing that something went wrong, was red-faced in the midst of the Ministers. The following day, the news spread of the Choir's "sour notes" There were reports that the Pastor was a little upset. a few chorale members did not go to the Choir loft for fear that they would be ridiculed. Needless to say, the tired and true faithful group went on to rehearse. A solemn and composed Carmen Ortiz spoke to the Choir and declared: "There are rumors that we failed yesterday, but, my brethren, do not pay any attention, we did our best and we sang for the Lord!" Carmen was uplifting the spirit and the morale of the Choir, as she was accustomed to doing throughout her long and dedicated tenure with her beloved Choir. And so it was that on September 7, 1975, the day after the performance in Randall's Island, the Sunday services had already commenced and the Choir: "Ecos DeVida" slowly marched up to the choral loft of the church.
The Pastor would look up at us from high above the podium and it was very intimidating. He would look at us with a stern look. It seemed as an eternity had passed when the Choir was finally given the opportunity to sing the evening selection. The Choir, humbly stood up and sang right from the Choir loft. The Choir began to sing "He is Real, I Know He is Real! the congregation was in deep communion and there was an unprecedented hush within the the church. Every note and every voice was enhanced with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Choir was now singing with a heart-filled conviction. They had been tested by fire, they had tasted the experience of scorn and ridicule, they had experienced the painful realities of life and now, the echoes of that life were resounding in song. "Pero Es Real, Es Real, Oh, Yo Se Que El Es Real!" declared an invigorated Choir. The Choir seemed as if they were lifted up in a cloud of splendor and the church was now filled with a special blessing and the congregation was now feeling a spark that ignited many to speak in tongues and the Spirit of the Lord was manifested upon the Great Hall. the Choir kept on singing with more power and from the depths of their souls, they poured out a clear and definitive declaration "Mi Cristo Me Ha Salvado Y Mi Salvacion Es Real!!!"
The Pastor's face slowly turned to the Choir. His stern countenance quickly melted away and gave way to his famous smile. Rev. Berrios stood up and motioned the congregation to rise and bask in the Glory of the Lord. Half of the Choir now began to shiver in the spirit and it was evident that the Lord was sending a Choir of Angels to surround and support this beloved Choir that had toiled and labored in worship for so many years. The Choir began to speak in tongues. A tear of joy fell from Carmen's eyes as she turned to face the congregation and echoed the melody that God had used to bless and edify the congregation. "Es Real, Real, Oh ...Yo Se Que El Es Real!!" The Choir continued to sing to the Lord and many felt a warmth that now surrounded their heart, for they were truly worshipping the Lord. The Pastor was now smiling at the Choir and he finally took the microphone. He declared: "The Choir is in their home!" "El Coro esta en su Casa!" God had revealed a great lesson to the Pastor and to the Choir on that blessed evening. This experience was symbolic of the many trials that the choir had gone through. There were times when the many choir members would sing when their hearts were crying due to the many trials of life. There were many who sacrificed to ensure that the Choir would continue. Many devoted lives echoed the sounds of praise and worship that were transformed in memorable song. This was not just a Choir. This was and still is a musical institution with a powerful legacy. may God continue to bless the Choir: "Ecos de Vida" and may God continue to surround them and their enduring songs with His Holy Spirit.
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