Different faiths gather to share their musical traditions

Intermountain Catholic

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Members of the Hispanic Cathedral Choir perform during the 2014 Interfaith Musical Tribute at the Tabernacle, the first time that a Hispanic Catholic group has performed at this event. IC photo/Laura Vallejo

SALT LAKE CITY – On Feb. 23, the Interfaith Musical Tribute 2014 took place at the Salt Lake Tabernacle. People of many faiths gathered to celebrate the spirit of unity and cordiality despite the different traditions, languages, beliefs and cultures.

The event was organized by the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable as part of the celebrations of the Interfaith Month.

Performers were The Sikh Temple of Utah, the South Valley Unitarian Choir and String Quartet, the Dionysios Greek Dancers, The Leopard in The Temple (Jewish mystic chanting), the Khemera Cambodian Dance Troupe of Utah, the University of Utah LDS Institute of Religion Choir, the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake, the Holladay United Church First Quartet, the Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple and India Cultural Center of Utah Children’s Choir and dancers, and the Hispanic Choir of the Cathedral of the Madeleine. KSL anchorwoman Carole Mikita was the master of ceremonies, and Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave the greetings.

"I can’t think of a nicer way to spend a Sunday evening," Elder Clayton said. "We have the opportunity to shake hands with one another. We enjoy these presentations. … We unite together people from different faiths, different traditions, different backgrounds, different countries – all are united here to celebrate together this tribute."

The event was particularly significant for the Hispanics because it was the first time that music in Spanish was ever presented at the annual tribute.

"The choir was formed in November 2007 to help minister to those in the ever-growing Hispanic community," reads the Interfaith Musical Tribute program.

"It’s delightful," said Berline Whittmayer, who was surprised with the beat of the Hispanic Cathedral Choir.

The Hispanic Choir of the Cathedral of the Madeleine presented three different pieces: "Viva la Fe," "Cristo Te Necesita," and "Salve Rociera." Their presentation was right before the closing remarks of the event.

The Hispanic Choir assists regularly at the Sunday 3 p.m. Spanish Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Since its inception the choir has grown in both membership and musical achievements, said its director, Gregory Glenn, who led the group at the Interfaith Musical Tribute.

"The rhythm that they have is wonderful. It was a very good closer for the event," said Whittmayer as the different musical instruments of the Hispanic Choir marked the ending of the Hispanic Choir’s presentation, which was particularly cheered at the Tabernacle.

"We are so proud to be represented by the Hispanic Choir here," said Susana Vergara, a Cathedral parishioner who, with her husband, read about the presentation in the program. "It’s just wonderful that they are noticing the presence of us Hispanics here in Utah," added Vergara.