OLINDA, Brazil — A man who has breathed music most of his life, Edson Rodrigues, is now president of the second-oldest syndicate of musicians in Brazil.

Photo courtesy Edson Rodrigues

Edson Rodrigues

He is confidant in the position because the syndicate of about 400 members is about the size of ward congregations over which he has helped preside as a bishop's counselor.

Another of his goals is to not only strengthen the organization, but also to increase the performances of musicians in the state of Pernambuco.

With a post-graduate degree in ethno-musicology, he has worked as a musician, playing with the great names of the Brazilian pop music. He is now a well-known composer of instrumental music. A winner of many music contests in his home state, his music has been performed by many bands. But among the musical highlights of his life include leading a 1,000-voice choir for the groundbreaking, and later choirs at the dedication of the Recife Brazil Temple.

"It was exciting to be so near to such special men, President (Gordon B.) Hinckley, and President (James E.) Faust, two servants of the Lord, in such an important occasion for the saints who live in the northeast area of Brazil," he said.

He was a member of a choir in another church when first introduced to the Church in 1983.

"My oldest daughter, Edna, met the missionaries and gave them our address," he said. "That's when I was introduced to the Church and was baptized in August 1983." He was the only member of his family to join.

After his baptism, his life changed. He was a journalist, and also conductor of the Municipal Band of Recife. But at the band, persecutions began, he said. He didn't know what to do.

"I was told by a brother in the Church to pray to Heavenly Father, and He would give me direction. The answer I received was that I should leave the position I held, even with the losses I would suffer in my gratuity. However, I earned much more in my new job, even more than I was making at the previous one with the gratuities."

He emerged with his faith in Jesus Christ even stronger, and from making righteous and inspired decisions, he was greatly blessed.

After his baptism, he left his previous choir and began working with music in the Olinda Brazil Stake, and is still stake choir conductor.

Now as president of the syndicate, he hopes to improve the status of musicians throughout the state.

"The syndicate was founded in 1935, but with poor administration it has grown smaller and at the present does not even include Recife," said Brother Rodrigues.

He is very excited with his new position, even though he has to deal with many administrative problems including lack of resources.

"We want to return the syndicate to the state of dignity that it had when it created the Municipal Band of Recife and established the Symphonic Orchestra of Recife, the oldest performing group in Brazil," he said.

He said that he expects to further this, one of the pioneering music associations in Brazil.

"The Lord is and always will be my shepherd," he said, choosing a Psalm that has been set to music to express his feelings. "His gospel will give me the serenity I need to overcome the obstacles."

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