Laguna Woods Village Taiwanese Chorale

Conductor’s Footnote

Elizabeth Shiu-Lee Chen

Starting last Fall season, I suggested to our Choir that this year (2013) at the end of summer, we hope to have a formal musical performance. Surprisingly everyone unanimously agreed and no one disappeared! This is the very first musical we will have in four years, and is very memorable!

Our musical event’s goal is to establish confidence and teamwork in the choir members. We want to be a multi-cultural bridge and also introduce Taiwanese composers and young E-generation Taiwanese American performers to the community, so that people in our region will know better the Taiwanese Arts, History and Culture. With this cultural mission, we leap upon our stage today

Life is filled with limitless pursuit of beautiful dreams and meaningful endeavors, as well as hopes to bless others. In the proper time if we seize the opportunity to reach out, whether it is writing a letter or making a call, or learning a skill, these will be the beginning of joy and blessings. Today, because of our group’s optimism and joy, I was willing to invest four years of my life to learn humbly and be moved by this goal.

Possessing an outgoing and passionate personality is the trademark of an optimistic person. Life is God’s abundant gift, and one day on this earth has great meaning. Though we don’t know the number of our days, and we can’t control our body’s slow deterioration, yet if we love life passionately and love others, then we will live to be light and salt. This is the heart of a giver, and today we are able to stand on stage and witness life’s beautiful songs..

We will introduce eight Taiwanese contemporary composers in this musical performance. They will use the words from the traditional folk songs to share our ancestor’s great love and moving words. These will bring forth childhood memories and Taiwan’s challenging history. I’m thankful that I could immigrate to a country so blessed by God. May it continue to shine fort God’s justice and lead this world to peace and justice.

指揮的話-李秀麗

去年秋季練唱開始，我向合唱團員們提議今年（2013)夏季結束時希望有個正式的音樂會，很驚喜的大家一致通過而且沒有跑掉任何一位。這是四年來的首次音樂會，是值得紀念的一次。

我們舉辧音樂會的目的是建立圑員的自信與合作；成為與LWV多樣族群的文化橋樑；還有，介紹目前台灣代表性的作曲家與年輕E世代台美人的表演者，讓社區主流更多認識台灣的歷史文化與藝術。帶著這樣的文化使命，我們雀躍地走上今天的舞台。

人生是無止境美夢的追逐，快樂及有意義的人生來自實現心中所想，也造福別人的願望。只要在適當的時機願意掌握機會，採取行動，那怕是舉手之勞，通個電話，寫一封信去安慰幫助別人，甚至決定去學習畢生從未嘗試的技藝，都會是喜樂與福氣的開始。今天，我因這群樂觀進取的圑員們，願意投注四年的時光，每週殷勤謙卑的受教而感動。

擁有熱情與陽光般的性格經常是樂觀的人特性。生命是上蒼的厚禮，活著一天就有意義，雖不知我們的年限有多長，也不能控制我們的五官不隨時光而退化，然而若能熱愛生命，珍惜關愛別人的苦難就會活出生命的光輝。這是愛樂人的情懷，也是今天我們還能站在台前吼出生命之歌的見證。

我們介紹8位台灣享有盛名的現代作曲家在這次音樂會，他們以親切優雅的故鄉母語來譜出祖先留傳下來血脈相連之情。願劃過時空隧道，每首曲子都能引發您我的迴響；還有短瞬的序曲代表台灣崎嶇的歷史。多年來心中不住感謝能移居到這個從開國以來就蒙神一意祝福的國家，願它繼續發出公義的光芒，引導世界走上真實的和平。