Son records father's musical composition

Evening News photo by BRYAN BOSCH Dan Corpus, 74, composed and recorded one of his father's arrangements of "Ave Maria." The CD was sent to the Vatican. Mr. Corpus received a signed thank-you note in return.

If the audio clip does not automatically play within 10 seconds, click here to download the file to your computer.

By MICHELLE SWARTZ Evening News staff writer

In his father's memory, Dan Corpus felt that he needed to leave a legacy.

He decided to focus on his father's passion in life.

"I recorded his composition of ‘Ave Maria,' " said Mr. Corpus, a 74-year-old Monroe resident. "It's something that I needed to do."

His father, Ramon Corpus, was a concert violinist. Having lived in the Philippines, he came to America to study music at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He then returned to his native land. He died several years ago.

"He had written the composition in the 1940s. When I found it, I knew I had to record it. I wanted to do this for him," Mr. Corpus said.

At St. Anthony Catholic Church in Temperance, Mr. Corpus had the piece recorded with the help of fellow musicians. "Ave Maria in G Minor" was recorded as well as "Ave Maria in E Minor Transposed." Bonnie Mohon provided soprano, with baritone by Christopher Jakutowicz. Aaron Rutter played the violin and Phillip Clark was on piano.

"His love was music, and his composition of ‘Ave Maria' was never published," said Mr. Corpus, who had the CD copyrighted.

When he brought the recorded version to his part-time job at Center for Independent Living in Monroe, his boss fell in love with it.

"In the first few moments I heard it, I thought to myself that someone had to hear this. It was just so beautiful," said Linda Maier, specialist at the center. "Who better than Pope John Paul II, the Holy Father himself?"

So, with Mr. Corpus' blessing, Ms. Maier sent a copy of the recordings to the Vatican along with a letter explaining what the CD represents. Within a month, the Vatican responded with a letter of appreciation.

The letter was written by Monsignor Gabriele Caccia, assessor at the Vatican. Part of the letter said "… (Pope John Paul II) asked me to thank you. He appreciates the sentiments which prompted you to write to him …"

"I was very surprised. I was amazed. I didn't expect it," Mr. Corpus said about the letter from the Vatican.

Ms. Maier now wants to send a copy to Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino's Pizza.

"He established the Ave Maria Foundation so that ties in perfectly," she said. "I'm not looking for anything in return by sending it out. I just think this music should be heard."

Mr. Corpus is a musician himself. His father taught him to play the violin.

"It's more of a hobby for me. I enjoy playing," he said.

He has played in area symphonies, including Toledo and Adrian.

Mr. Corpus moved to the United States in 1975, where he has lived ever since. Since his retirement from the computer business, he has worked part time as a receptionist at the Center for Independent Living for nearly two years.

"The political conditions were very bad," he explained about why he left his homeland.

Ms. Maier and the rest of the center staff enjoy having Mr. Corpus as a co-worker.

"We just love him. He is a very humble man," she said, smiling. "He will tell us a lot of stories about when he lived in the Philippines and about his family. I respect his history. And I really appreciate his effort to get his father's work recorded. It was a noble thing to do."

Each Monday, Your Neighbors offers a glimpse into the life of a Monroe County area resident. Reporters select their subjects at random, either through the telephone book or person-on-the-street interviews.

Keyword: YN