Gables High School choral director doesn't miss beat

BY MARJORIE GOLUB

"When I wake up in the morning, I do what I like to do. I do what I want to do," Anthony Cabrera said.
A recent University of Miami graduate, Cabrera now is taking on the task of being the choral director to 60 students and the music appreciation teacher to another 120 students at Coral Gables High School.

Anthony Cabrera (right) is pictured with some of his choral students at Coral Gables High School.

One of the choral groups, The Cavalier Singers, has kept Cabrera especially busy.

During the Christmas season, The Cavalier Singers gave 36 performances at public events and at private parties. As the official Angel-Tree Choir for the Salvation Army, the group kicked off the season with a concert at Dadeland Mall. They continued to sing everywhere the Salvation Army had an Angel-Tree. However, this first event opened a unique opportunity for the group.

"We were having lunch at the mall, and the kids were singing," Cabrera explained. "They were eating, and they were singing. And the host of [the Spanish language talk show] Despierta America! happened to be sitting at the next table. He extended the invitation, and we accepted."
The Cavalier Singers performed on Dec. 16, 1999, on Despierta America!, which Cabrera says was broadcast in 36 countries and in Miami played on Channel 23 Univision.

Working with the Cavalier Singers has had an extremely positive impact on the students.

"Even though Mr. Cabrera is our new teacher, he has already made us feel like a family," said Sannia Massarelli, one of the Cavalier Singers.

As for the other choral ensembles, a musical theater concert will take place on June 7. There also will be a fundraising concert, titled Music by Candlelight, on Mar. 6 featuring soloists and duets. The students take a very active role in putting together the concerts Cabrera explained.

"The students do the sound for a concert, sell the tickets, do the wardrobe, and sing in the concert all by time they are out of here."

The fundraising concert will go towards the students many projects. Currently, all of the choral groups are raising money for a musical tour of Italy. There, Cabrera's students have been invited to sing at churches and concert halls for two weeks.

Additionally, the students raise money to buy new music and for scholarships. This year two students will receive scholarships for the University of Miami Choral Music Camp. Cabrera also is working on a program that would provide scholarships to seniors who want to attend music school.

As if that weren't enough, Cabrera teaches the music appreciation classes. The course is focused for half of the semester on teaching music from a variety of cultures including India, China, Syria, Mexico, Tibet, and Zimbabwe.

Cabrera, a Miami native graduated from Miami High School. Since his sophomore year in high school, Cabrera has wanted to become a music teacher. He attended Miami-Dade Community College and transferred to the University of Miami to complete his degree in Music Education.
Cabrera also teaches piano and voice lessons at Kendall Conservatory of Music and directs the youth and adult choruses of First Presbyterian Church in Miami Springs.