When Voices Are Raised
By Thomas D. Segel (08/11/08)
Harlingen, Texas, August 10, 2008: What do a retired singer, a retired postmaster, a community relations director, and three teachers have to do with easing tensions in a troubled world? On the grand scale of things, perhaps not very much. But, for the people this group comes in contact with, the experience can be powerful indeed.
Known as Voces de Salvacion, this evangelical musical group travels across South Texas and Northern Mexico. Their music, which is primarily Christian Gospel, is performed before audiences both large and small. They sang before a women’s conference in Matamoros, Mexico and a Thanksgiving festival in Weslaco, Texas. They performed in Brownsville, Texas following a major Charro Days event. With their hometown of Brownsville suffering the devistation of Hurricane Dolly, they performed a four-hour concert for people who needed the comfort of voices raised in praise. They also regularly visit the residents of a long term care facility for individuals suffering from mental retardation, just to bring the lightness of music into the lives of many who have little in the way of entertainment.
What is so special about Voces de Salvacion is the group has been together for more than 15 years, traveled long distances to provide a ministry of music and they do everything at their own expense. Travel, equipment, meals, everything is paid by the members. There are no expense payments expected from their audiences or the organizations and events where they play. There are no fees and no ticket sales. At the “Fun Days” where they now perform monthly for residents at the state operated Rio Grande State Center/South Texas Health Care System, they call themselves The DJ Group and even create party themes such as “Stars and Stripes Forever” or “A Day at the Beach” At those parties they provide prizes such as sun glasses, purses, baseball caps, t-shirts and other items they have either collected from the community or donated themselves.
The group’s lead singer is Raul Torres, a retired Tejano star who formerly was a member of the Latin Society Band and Los Malos. He has also been inducted into the Tejano Hall of Fame. Harmonizing with him are Al and Ellie Santa Ana. Al is a retired postmaster and his wife Ellie is a health care community relations director. Carlos Fernandez is their keyboard artist and works as a music teacher. Two more teachers make up the remainder of the group. Elsa Torres is their manager and musical arranger, while Joe Beltran serves as the equipment manager. Voces de Salvacion has recorded three CDs and a fourth will be released in November 2008.
Al Santa Ana, acting as a spokesman says, “We participate at concerts, weddings, funerals, birthdays, and most any event where we are invited. Our music is in English or Spanish and has a new twist on the Latin beat. We are known for harmonics and a progressive, contemporary sound.”
When asked why they have given so freely of their music for so many years, Santa Ana says, “We see a great need to provide for those who are less fortunate. We are truly blessed in our personal lives and we want to pass that blessing to those around us.”
In these days of great national and international anxiety, six people traveling around the southmost corner of the United States might not add up too much in the grand scheme of things. Those who flock to hear the music are of a different mindset. The roaring applause received, the cries of “Great!!” say this music is important. Even a woman calling out “Where have you guys been all my life?” These things say the singers are reaching people who are enriched by the sounds. Voces de Salvacion members have been raising their voices and doing God’s work for 15 years…but, people still want to hear more. And this is all happening in a country secularists tell us is turning away from The Word.
Semper Fidelis,
Thomas D. Segel
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