Guatemalan choirs kick off tour in Arlington Heights

Members of the National Children's Choir of Guatemala put their hands to their ears during an animated performance of the song, "Can You Hear Me?"

The popular song written by British composer, Bob Chilcott, describes scenes as captured through the eyes of a deaf child. But in a broader translation, it describes seeing the world through a child's eyes, without borders.

That poignant message seemed to be at the heart of last week's joint performance, featuring the National Children's Choir of Guatemala and the National Youth Choir of Guatemala, with the Metropolis Youth Symphony.

The two-hour program, "Music of the Americas," drew a standing ovation - including after performing Vivaldi's "Gloria" - and it also launched the Guatemalans' Chicago tour.

On Sunday they performed at Elmhurst College, and on Tuesday in Crystal Lake, before they sing for Chicago area students today, Nov. 5, at St. Scholastica Academy in Chicago.

Later this week they headline the Chicago Cultural Center, as part of a "Music Without Borders" lunch break concert at 12:15 on Friday.

Their farewell concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at First United Church in Oak Park, when they combine with the Oak Park River Forest Children's Choir, and the Indianapolis Children's Choir, or more than 150 singers on stage.

During their two-week visit, the 50 Guatemalan singers and their chaperones are staying with families in Arlington Heights and Prospect Heights. As part of their entertainment, they went trick-or-treating for the first time, visited Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, toured Chicago highlights and even spent an afternoon ice skating at the Glenview Ice Arena.

To welcome them, Metropolis families introduced them to a distinctly American tradition: a potluck dinner.

The Guatemalan children made the trip as part of a cultural exchange begun last summer, when members of the Metropolis Youth Symphony traveled to perform there.

Metropolis Music Director Javier Jose Mendoza had served as a guest faculty member at the Colegio Internacional Montessori in Guatemala City in 2007 when the idea was hatched.

"I think someone suggested it as a joke, never dreaming we'd take them on it," Mendoza told the crowd. "Now they know, be careful what you wish for."

His Guatemalan counterpart, Fernando Archilla, director of the National Youth Choir of Guatemala, concurs.

"Just a few months ago, it was a dream," Archilla says. "Now, it is a dream come true."

Already, Metropolis Youth Symphony members are planning their return to Guatemala this summer.

As members of both ensembles get to know one another, Mendoza sees more and more similarities. They all love music, especially pop music, he says, and the Guatemalans even love "High School Musical" as much as his orchestra students do.

"We really are exploring how much we have in common with each other," Mendoza says, "and are learning so much from each other."

At each point along the way, the combined choirs and orchestra members have ended their performances with a moving anthem that has even their directors standing arm-in-arm, swaying to the music: "Amigos Para Siempre," or "Friends Forever."