By Cynthia De Castro
APRIL 11, 2008
Asianjournal.com
Music to Our Ears
in her profession to become the Director of
Music at the St. Frances de Chantal Catholic
Church, the Associate Director of Music
Ministries at the Cathedral Basilica of the
Sacred and the Conductor of the New York
Archdiocesan Festival Chorale before she was
offered her present position.
“It is a lot of work” she admitted. “ And
being in such a highly visible place, there are
a lot of politics involved and a lot of people
to keep happy. However, the flip side is that
the people are wonderful, and we get to
make beautiful music in one of the grandest
cathedrals in the world. Everyone comes to
New York, so I see people that I know from all
over the world.”
Jennifer’s other job is hosting a radio
program. “I never did it before and all of a
sudden I got asked to do it,” she exclaims. “It’s
once a week for an hour. We talk about music
and how it ties in with faith, religion, get to
LOS ANGELES – The East Coast is all agog while her mother is a retired nurse. know church musicians, that kind of thing,”
these days for the much-anticipated first A musical conductor and a liturgical and she added.
apostolic journey of Pope Benedict XVI to the concert organist, Jennifer took her Bachelor Jennifer reveals that there are very few
United States from April 15 to 20. The plans of Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Filipinos who attend and are actively involved
for the five-day visit will include a meeting Organ and Piano Performance (magna cum in St. Patrick’s. “The Cathedral is 90% tourists,
with President Bush at the White House, an laude) in Jacksonville University in Florida. so the parish in itself is very small. Very few
address at the United Nations in New York, She then moved to New York where she took Filipinos. There is, however, an annual Filipino
and a stop at Ground Zero. What is specially up her Master of Music in Piano Performance Mass and that is very well attended with
exciting to the American public, especially at Mannes College of Music and her Doctor almost a full cathedral,” she said.
the Catholics, are the major events where of Musical Arts in Organ Performance with a “I really love the [Philippines], the food,
they can see and greet the Pope. minor in Church Music at the Eastman School the people. I wish the Philippines was not
In New York, he will say Mass at the of Music. so far away so I could visit more often. I’ve
Cathedral of St. Patrick and at the Yankee “I have always enjoyed music as a child only been there twice. I went last 2004 as
Stadium before they tear it down. The Pope and growing up,” Jennifer said. she explained the featured organist at the Las Piñas (my
will also lead an ecumenical, inter-religious that She added that specializing in church mother’s hometown) Bamboo Organ Festival,”
event at the John Paul II Cultural Center music was a natural inclination. “I really didn’t she said.
and address a youth rally at the St. Joseph’s want to do anything else. To have just a solo When not busy at work, Jennifer usually
Seminary in Yonkers. performing career is just that — solo — kind just catches up with her sleep or she travels
Overseeing the music for these events and of lonely. I like working with people.” and enjoys fine dining. As to future plans,
conducting both Masses is a young Filipina Her prestigious position as the Director of she admits she just wants to stay and direct
American — Dr. Jennifer Pascual, the Director Music at St.Patrick’s is something that Jennifer music in St. Patrick’s.
of Music of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Aside from credits to luck. “I hope to be here for a very long time! I just
directing music at St. Patrick’s, a center of “I happened to be conducting a concert at would like to continue to make great music
Catholic life in America, Jennifer is also host St. Joseph’s Seminary in NY and His Eminence, not only in the Cathedral but throughout
of the popular radio program Sounds from Edward Cardinal Egan was present. It was at a the Archdiocese of New York and hope that
the Spires on the Catholic Channel 159. She time that the Cathedral was in transition and we continue to be a model for the rest of the
currently teaches and serves as Director looking for a new director of music. I simply United States,” she said.
of Music at the St. Joseph’s Seminary and happened to be in the right place at the right Next time you visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral
College in Yonkers, New York. time,” she said. in New York, pause for a while, listen to the
Born in LA in 1971, Jennifer proudly said From teaching piano classes and music great music, and thank God for this
that her parents are both from Manila and at various schools to playing the organ in Filipina giving such wonderful music to our
met in California. Her father is a retired Navy different Catholic churches, Jennifer has risen ears. (AJ)
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