On the evening of May 25th, the sanctuary of Novena Church was filled not just with music, but with hearts lifted in praise as the faithful gathered for a special event titled Evening with the Choir”. Beginning at 7:30 PM, this musical celebration brought together five dedicated choirs of Novena Church in a unified offering of sacred song and devotion. Among the many who graced the event were more than 150 students – particularly from Marymount Convent School – joined by their teachers and parents, who took part in the evening with visible joy and reverence.
This event was more than a concert—it was a heartfelt prayer and offering of thanksgiving as part of the ongoing celebration of Novena Church’s 75th anniversary. Known formally as the Church of Saint Alphonsus, Novena Church holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics and many others across Singapore. It has long been a home of hope and healing, especially through the beloved Saturday Novena devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Migrant workers, domestic helpers, students, office professionals, and people of various faiths find in Novena Church a space of welcome, peace, and spiritual refuge. As shared by Fr Antony Prabhu CSsR in his welcoming address, the beauty of Novena Church lies not in its bricks or stained glass, but in its people—men and women of simple faith and deep Marian devotion—whose lives cannot be separated from the church’s enduring legacy of grace and love.
The Evening with the Choir” was a heartfelt testament to this spirit of unity and beauty. Each of the five choirs took turns to share hymns, sacred pieces, and reflective medleys that stirred the soul. The musical event unfolded in five acts, each led by one of the church’s choirs. Each act carried a distinct theme—together leading the congregation through a journey of gratitude and hope.
Act I – Reflection & Gratitude was led by SCSR (Schola Cantorum Sanctissimi Redemptoris), the Saturday 6:30 PM Choir. Being the youngest choir of Novena Church, SCSR opened the evening with pieces that drew from both ancient liturgical tradition and contemporary reflection: Adoramus Te Christe (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina), Viva La Vida (Coldplay, arranged by Alicia de Silva), and Love is the Answer (Raymond Harsitan with instrumental arrangement by Alicia de Silva).
Act II – Hope in Darkness featured the SJNC (St John Neumann Choir), the Sunday 8:00 AM Choir. This segment brought themes of resilience and assurance in the midst of life’s uncertainties, through pieces taken from Broadway musicals: You Will Be Found (from Dear Evan Hansen by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul) and Seasons of Love (from Rent by Jonathan Larson).
Act III – Celebration & Renewal was carried by the SAC (St Alphonsus Choir), the Sunday 10:00 AM Choir. As one of the long-standing choirs of Novena Church, SAC filled the church with grandeur and exultation, inviting the faithful into joyous renewal through majestic arrangements of Messiah – Hallelujah Chorus (George Frideric Handel), The Prayer (Carole Bayer & David Foster), and Why We Sing (Greg Gilpin).
Act IV – Reflection & Thanksgiving came through the voices of MCC (Maria Crostarosa Choir), the Sunday 12:00 Noon Choir. Filled with the vibrant Filipino community and a blend of culture, reflection, and emotional depth, MCC led the congregation in songs of trust and surrender: Himig Heswita Medley (Manoling Francisco SJ, Rene Javellana SJ, Jandi Arboleda) and You Raise Me Up (Rolf Lovland, Brendan Graham).
Act V – United in Gratitude & Hope was presented by SGC (St Gerard Choir), the Sunday 5:30 PM Choir. The final individual act featured SGC leading the people in songs that echoed the pilgrim journey of faith, sung in multiple languages: The Face of God (Manoling Francisco SJ), Bertapa Hatiku / Ang Tanging Alay (sung in Bahasa and Tagalog, by Roberto Sutano), and Spirit Wings (Claire Cloninger & Michael Foster).
What made the night especially memorable was the collaborative finale where all five choirs, along with Fr Antony Prabhu CSsR, joined their voices in a powerful Marian hymn, Icon of Love, in honour of Mother Mary. Many in the congregation were moved to tears. As a moving grand finale, the choirs then united in a triumphant rendition of Arise Shine by Alphonsus Chern—a moment that brought great joy to all gathered. It was a glimpse of the universality of the Church: diverse voices, one heart.
The transition from Icon of Love into Arise Shine offered a beautiful close to an evening of sacred harmony.Mrs Janet, the musical coordinator of the event, played a vital role in bringing together the unity of all the choirs and helped reflect the joy that arises when a community gathers not only to sing, but to believe, to hope, and to love—together.
Fr Ino Cueoto CSsR, the Rector of Novena Church, brought the evening to a close by thanking everyone who attended the event, including Msgr Francis Lau, the teachers and students of Marymount Convent School, and the many members of the lay faithful and Marian devotees who made the evening a memorable celebration of song and spirit.
(More photos from Facebook Page – NOVENA CHURCH)
Missed the Concert? Watch it now on YouTube:
