MUSIC
SIBLING
MUSICALITY
95
Brothers José Daniel and Marcos Flores
grew up as musicians in Puerto Rico. Today, they
make music at separate congregations in Vero Beach.
BY WILLI MILLER PHOTO BY MARK DOLAN
here's a five-year difference in their ages, but no difference at all in their commitment
to bringing good music to the Treasure Coast.
José Daniel Flores, director of music and organist at Community Church in
Vero Beach, and Marcos Flores, director of music at Christ-by-the-Sea Methodist
Church, were born five years minus one day apart, in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.
They grew up as children of a minister, surrounded by the music of the church.
José Daniel began his leadership in music as an adolescent. By the time he was 12, he was
conductor of the adult choir at his father's church, as well as an organist. When it was time
to choose a career, he decided to study business, but his wife, Dharma, inspired him to go to
the conservatory in San Juan. “I switched careers with the intention of making better the
music I was already doing in church,’’ he says. Before he finished his undergraduate studies
in music education and instrumental conducting, he had the only full-time position as
church music director in an English-speaking church in San Juan.
The young student accepted an opportunity to pursue a master's degree at the University
of Illinois before returning to the island, where he became dean of academic affairs at the
Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, where he was dean of some of his former teachers.
It didn't take long for him to realize that he was spreading himself too thin. “Up to this
point, I felt all these careers were choosing me, so I decided to choose, to follow my
passion — sacred music,’’ he said. Making a living as a church musician is difficult in Puerto
Rico, so José Daniel took what he calls a leap of faith when he was offered a position at
St. John’s Methodist Church in Albuquerque.
When José Daniel moved to Vero Beach to accept a position at Community Church in
2003, he left his church in New Mexico with 21 choirs and ensembles. His position here
allowed him to play the organ again and to develop the new, non-denominational Atlantic
Schola Cantorum and Community Children's Chorale. He says it’s “a way to leave a legacy
for society beyond the church walls.’’
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