An evening of inspiring music

THE HONORARY Consul of Canada and Mrs. Robert Lee, in cooperation with the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, present their daughter Aileen Lee Li with The Voice in “An Evening of Inspiring Music” on Sunday July 7 at 8 p.m. sharp, at the ballroom of the Marco Polo.

The program starts with an

invocation by Herbert Buot. The first number is “Seek Ye the Lord” by Aileen and The Voices, conducted by Darlene Yap, the choir’s

director and coordinator. It has 16 members.

It’s the Voices on stage for “Climb Up the Mountain” and “Jericho,” and joined by Aileen for “Psalm 27” by Jason Locke.

Kelie K. Go will sing “The Holy City” by Stephen Adams, and Aileen will join him for “All I Ask of You” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Aileen will remain on stage for more “Phantom” songs: “Wishing You Were Somewhere Here Again” and “Think of Me.” That concludes Part 1 of the repertoire. A brief intermission follows.

Part 11 opens with The Voice singing “Tonight” by Leonard Bernstein from “West Side Story,” “What a Wonderful World (George David Weiss/Bob Thiele), and “When I Fall in Love” (Victor Young/Kirby Shaw).

Aileen will join The Voices for “When You Believe” by Audrey Snyder. Then she will sing solo “I Dreamed a Dream,” followed by Kelie Go with another solo, “Mattinata.”

Next on stage will be The Voices for “Usahay”: as arranged by Msgr. Rudy Villanueva, and “Laylay

Agolaylay” as arranged by Melvin Corpin.

“The Prayer” will be a duet by Aileen and Dave Sibonga, followed by a Chinese song by Aileen. The show comes to a climax with The Voices performing “How Great Thou Art” by David Clydesdale.

For the finale, it is Aileen and The Voices with “Amazing Grace.”

The concert is for the benefit of the Living Christian Church located at Rosal Street. If you want to attend you may call them at tel. 231-0183.

You may also call Gardenia Saavedra, a member of The Voices, at the Canadian Consulate, tel. 256-3320. Here’s a biographical sketch on Aileen Lee Li:

Aileen was born and raised in Cebu. She started singing in various competitions and programs as early as age 4, and continued to do so until she emigrated to Canada with her family.

In Canada, she enrolled in the Royal Conservatory of Music where she studied for four years. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree on Religious Education, majoring in Sacred Music at Ontario Bible College.

During her college years, she auditioned for the Continental Singers of America and was able to tour with them for two years. She toured Europe, the USA, and the Caribbean Islands as soloist and first soprano.

After graduation, she worked part time as the music director in a few churches around Toronto and went to school full time to pursue her Master’s degree in Worship. She was also choir director for Sounds of Joy, a choir representing Tyndale College and Seminary.

Aileen pursued a Doctorate degree in Liturgical Studies. Currently, she serves as the Worship Coordinator for both Scarborough Community Alliance Church and Hakka Alliance Church.

Thirteen years ago, Aileen with Maestro Lai and Winston Mann started the Toronto Cantata Chorus. They have developed the choir into what it is today by their hard work and dedication. As choral master, she continues to push and stretch the choir in every aspect of growth.

Aside from her busy academic and musical schedules, she is married to Dr. Derrick Li. They have two beautiful children–Anika and Joshua.

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Philippine-American Friendship Day is on July 4, but its grand celebration by the American Chamber of Commerce in Cebu (Amcham) has been set for Saturday July 6 at 7pm at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

The occasion also celebrates 25 years of Amcham in Cebu, as well as the 50 years of movie “existence” for James Bond. I always thought Dr. No. with Sean Connery came out in 1962.

That’s the theme for the night, never mind of Mr. Bond is a British spy (007) in Her Majesty’s Secret Service “with license to kill!”

There’ll be blaring dance music, Bond girls a-go-go, raffles of airline tickets, games and gimmicks, and guest performing artists, plus some surprises. Leave it to Mila Espina.