Por eso, reconectarme con la música ha sido muy importante en esta etapa. Además, me ayuda, poco a poco, a aprender algunas palabras en portugués. Aún se me hace difícil hablar y escribir, y lo atribuyo a que mi día transcurre en tres idiomas. A veces me aíslo en mi mundo de científica.
Sin embargo, aunque cantar ha sido un reto, me ha ayudado en varios aspectos, incluso para aprender nuevas palabras. Canto con un acento extraño, y a veces se me enreda la lengua, pero ahí voy, enfrentando cada momento con humildad y entrega. No es fácil, pero sigo adelante.
En fin, luego de esta pequeña catarsis, que les contaré con más detalle en otro espacio, paso a compartirles lo que fue esta experiencia de cantar en una iglesia, otra vez.
¡Buena lectura! / Enjoy the read!
Sunday, I had the experience of singing in a church, specifically during a commemorative mass at URI, one of the universities in Frederico Westphalen (Brazil), the place where I’ve been living for some time now.
Although I don't work at that university, I’m part of the choir. I believe I’ve already told you how this opportunity came to me during a very difficult time in my life—a time when I needed to be strong and was (or rather, still am) in a process of reconstruction.
That’s why reconnecting with music has been so important at this stage of my life.
It also helps me, little by little, to learn some words in Portuguese. I still find it difficult to speak and write, which I attribute to the fact that my daily life unfolds in three languages. Sometimes, I isolate myself in my scientific world.
However, even though singing has been a challenge, it has helped me in many ways—even in learning new words.
I sing with a strange accent, and sometimes my tongue gets twisted, but I keep going, facing each moment with humility and dedication. It’s not easy, but I move forward.
In short, after this small catharsis—which I’ll tell you about in more detail in another space—I want to share with you what it was like to sing in a church, once again.
Por ello, a lo largo del tiempo se han creado diversas piezas musicales. En mi experiencia coral, he tenido la oportunidad de cantar y escuchar misas completas, así como interpretar música sacra.
También he cantado en bodas y, por supuesto, he acompañado misas con música tradicional, adaptada a la interpretación coral.
Además, en las corales a las que he pertenecido, hemos ofrecido conciertos en iglesias. A mí, particularmente, me ha parecido una experiencia genial, donde diferentes actores contribuyen al intercambio cultural. Porque más allá de ser una iglesia, se convierte en un espacio de educación, de encuentro y de expresión.
En muchos lugares del mundo no hay teatros ni salas de conciertos, pero seguramente hay una iglesia, y ese espacio se utiliza para múltiples actividades comunitarias. De hecho, recuerdo que en el oriente de mi país, Venezuela, se hacía sonar la campana de la iglesia de los pueblitos donde íbamos a cantar, para anunciar o recordar que habría un concierto. Ese repicar me parecía mágico: un llamado al encuentro.
Cantar ayer me trajo muchos recuerdos. Fue un reto, porque aquí no se cantan las mismas canciones y no me sabía ninguna. Pero había que cantar. Con la ayuda de la letra y un ensayo a contrarreloj, lo logramos.
Por supuesto, esa es la pieza en la que esta venezolana con raíces indígenas se luce más. Aunque sigo disfrutando de cantar en español, el nuevo reto está en vencer el miedo, comenzar a hablar más y cantar también en este idioma que me rodea.
All choristers have had the experience of singing in churches. And if anyone wonders why, we must remember that, historically, music has been linked to cultural expressions of gratitude and praise to God—regardless of religion.
That’s why, over time, different musical pieces have been created. In my choral experience, I’ve had the opportunity to sing and listen to entire masses, as well as perform sacred music.
I’ve also sung at weddings and, of course, accompanied masses with traditional music, adapted to choral interpretation.
Additionally, in the choirs I’ve been part of, we’ve given concerts in churches. Personally, I’ve found it to be a wonderful experience, where different people come together to contribute to cultural exchange. Because beyond being a church, it becomes a space for education, cultural encounter, and expression.
In many places around the world, there are no theaters or concert halls, but there’s almost always a church—and that space is often used for various community activities. In fact, I remember that in the eastern region of my country, Venezuela, the church bell was rung in the small towns where we were going to sing, to announce or remind people there would be a concert. That sound seemed magical to me—like a call to gather.
Singing yesterday brought back many memories. It was a challenge because here, the songs are different and I didn’t know any of them. But I had to sing. With the help of the lyrics and a last-minute rehearsal, we made it work.
It turned out quite well. The university authorities liked it, and even more so, the people attending the mass. Several approached us afterward to congratulate and thank us. Our performance closed with “Te Quiero,” an Argentine piece with lyrics by Mario Benedetti, music by Alberto Favero, and a choral arrangement by Liliana Cangiano, which has become the anthem of this choir.
Of course, that’s the piece where this Venezuelan woman with Indigenous roots shines the most. Although I still enjoy singing in Spanish, my new challenge is to overcome fear, and begin speaking—and singing—more in this language that now surrounds me.
Creo que la conciencia no es un destino, sino una forma amorosa de andar el camino.
Gracias por compartir conmigo esta pausa consciente... y por cada gesto de apoyo que hace más ligero el viaje.
I am Adriana Carolina Gamboa: poet, scientist, ontological coach, and a lover of the sea, nature, music, and meaningful silence.
I believe that consciousness is not a destination, but a loving way of walking the path.
Thank you for sharing this mindful pause with me… and for every gesture of support that makes the journey lighter.
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