Tidings of Comfort and Joy – Giving Back to the Community

Christmas is all about family and friends, coming together to celebrate what is undoubtedly the best time of the year. For many, this season isn’t merely about Christmas lights, food and gifts but it is a time of reflection and thankfulness for the abundant blessings and goodness in our lives. We have been taught that to whom much has been given, much more will be required. As we have been blessed, we too should freely give and Christmastime is a wonderful opportunity to reach to the community and that is exactly what Cantus Novus Music Academy did this Christmas.

Founded in January 2017, Cantus Novus Music Academy has helped her students achieve musical excellence that is rooted in heartfelt enjoyment of the art. They view music as an outlet for creative self-expression, a means to edify, inspire, and encourage others, and a striking testament to the intricate design that is found in the world around us. Music presents us with the incredible opportunity to reflect on our Creator.

Tina Nguyen is the choral director and music instructor at Cantus Novus Music Academy. After graduating magna cum laude with her BS degree in Music Education (Voice) in 2013, she went on to pursue a master’s degree in Church Music (Voice and Composition) and recently graduated in May 2016. For Tina, teaching is a joy because it gives her the opportunity to instill in her students a love for music, so that they, in turn, can continue the process of sharing and inspiring!

This Christmas was a different one for both the Cantus Novus children and youth choir. Unlike the usual year-end large-scale concerts to sum up the entire year. This Christmas, Ms. Tina got her entire choir ready for a recital at an elderly home as she wanted to spread the Christmas cheer and be able to share and communicate the beauty of music and the real meaning of Christmas.

This year, they had a Family Recital late November and finished out the choir season by spreading some Christmas cheer to the residents at Tampines All Saints Home! 🎁🎄The choir members presented a selection of beautiful Christmas music. It included all-time favorites like Joy to the World, The First Noel, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and it was followed by other carols like Pat-a-Pan, He is Born and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, just to name a few. What a joy it was to see the Elderly singing along, taping to the rhythm and even waving their hands in the air. The happy faces of the performers definitely brought a smile to their faces as the Christmas cheer spread around from person to person. It was then followed by a distribution of Christmas cards by the children and fresh buns to the dear folks at the home.

What a meaningful start to the Christmas season! As we enter into this time of celebration, let us not forget the true meaning of this holiday. This is a perfect time to cultivate hearts of gratefulness, compassion and unconditional love and Christmas is a perfect time to reach the community with “Tidings of Comfort and Joy!”

To find out more about this exceptional choir, you can visit https://www.cantusnovusmusic.com/ and trust me, their programs are worth a look.

by Christie Lim