Silent Harmonies

Chapter 1

A New Melody

Miguel, known to his friends as Migs, stepped onto the bustling campus of South Philippine Adventist College(SPAC) with a mix of excitement and nerves. The lush greenery and serene atmosphere were a stark contrast to the noisy streets of Manila he had left behind. Clutching his bag and a folder of music sheets, Migs took a deep breath and walked toward the auditorium where the auditions for the school's prestigious choir were being held.

Music had always been a refuge for Migs, especially after his father's passing. It was during those moments of singing hymns that he found peace and strength. Joining the SPAC choir was more than just an extracurricular activity for him-it was a way to continue healing.

Inside the auditorium, the air buzzed with anticipation. Students were scattered around, some practicing their pieces, others chatting nervously. Migs found a seat near the front and pulled out his music sheets, trying to calm his racing heart. He glanced around, observing potential future choir mates.

"Hey, first-year ka rin?" a cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts.

Migs looked up to see a boy about his age, with a friendly smile and an air of confidence. "Oo, first year. I'm Migs."

"Nice to meet you, Migs! Ako naman si Jay, second year na ako. Anong voice mo?" Jay extended his hand.

"I sing as bass," Migs replied, shaking Jay's hand gratefully. "Ikaw din ba?"

"Yup, bass din ako. Good luck sa audition mo! Kung kailangan mo ng tips, andito lang ako."

"Salamat, Jay. Nakakakaba pala," Migs admitted with a nervous laugh.

"Normal lang yan," Jay said reassuringly. "Pero pag nandun ka na, just focus on the music. Yan ang importante."

Before long, the choir director, Ms. Santos, called for the auditions to begin. Migs watched as one by one, students performed their pieces. His turn came up quickly, and as he stood before the panel, he felt a surge of nerves and excitement.

"Introduce yourself and tell us what piece you'll be singing," Ms. Santos instructed.

"Good afternoon po, ako po si Miguel Dela Cruz, pero tawag po nila sa akin Migs. Kakantahin ko po yung 'How Great Thou Art'."

As Migs began to sing, the familiar notes wrapped around him like a comforting blanket. He poured his heart into the song, feeling each word and note deeply. When he finished, there was a moment of silence before Ms. Santos smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Migs. That was beautiful. We'll post the results tomorrow," she said.

Relieved, Migs returned to his seat. Jay gave him a thumbs up and a grin. "Galing mo, bro! Pasok ka na yan, sigurado."

The next day, Migs anxiously scanned the bulletin board outside the auditorium. His heart leapt when he saw his name on the list of accepted members. He was officially part of the AUP choir.

The first rehearsal was a whirlwind. Ms. Santos introduced the new members, and Migs found himself surrounded by a diverse group of students, all passionate about music. He quickly became friends with Jay and a few others, including:

- Karen, a bubbly soprano who was always full of energy and laughter.
- Leo, a quiet but talented tenor who seemed to have a mysterious air about him.
- Rina, an alto with a kind heart and a nurturing nature.

As the weeks went by, Migs found himself falling in love with singing more than ever. The choir practices became the highlight of his week. They sang a mix of traditional hymns and contemporary pieces, each song bringing the group closer together.

One day, as they practiced a particularly challenging piece, Ms. Santos called for a break. Migs and his friends gathered in a corner, chatting and laughing.

"Migs, may talent ka talaga," Karen said, nudging him playfully. "Saan mo natutunan kumanta nang ganun?"

"Salamat, Karen. Bata pa lang ako, kumakanta na ako sa church," Migs replied, smiling at the memory.

"Masarap kumanta lalo na pag kasama ang mga kaibigan," Rina added, her eyes twinkling.

"Oo nga," Leo agreed quietly. "Music brings us together."

As Migs looked around at his new friends, he felt a sense of belonging he hadn't felt in a long time. The SPAC choir wasn't just about singing-it was about finding a new family, a new purpose. And as they continued to practice and perform, Migs knew that this was only the beginning of his journey.