Dear Dominic: We had a plan to meet in Finland in the summer 2019 and join the concert of Rajaton whom you admired. That moment never came, but I joined their concert end of 2022 for you. You will stay with our hearts until we will meet again:) Until then, rest in peace! Hugs and love from Ulla

I miss you, dear one!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fs9p8swyhkz8xcu/12%20Jul%202018%20I%20thought%20love%20is%20what%20I%20am.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8qcul43r46a52zq/2008%20Apr%2023%20sweet%20face.jpg?dl=0

In 2000 I was part of the Board of Directors of Singing OUT, the Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Toronto.  We were looking for a new musical director and I was part of the hiring committee.  I remember looking at Dominic's CV and thinking "but he's so young".  Then we interviewed him.  His energy, peace and commitment to choral music all shone.  As a former colleague has said, his audition with the choir was transformational.  We hired him, and he led us to new heights, both musically and personally.  We were able to record a CD over an exhausting and exhilarating weekend, an experience I will never forget.  When my mother died in 2010, I used two songs from the CD at her memorial service, and many of her friends could not believe the music came from a non-auditioned community chorus.

To his family and friends I extend my deepest condolences.  The world has lost a shooting star, but I will look for him in the sky.

I knew Dominic during his time as Artistic Director of Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA).  My deepest condolences to his beautiful family and to his extended family--all those he touched with his spirit of wonderment and love.  His work with us in the chorus was filled with laughter and love, but also with technical precision and an uncanny way of knowing how to guide so many different voices, shaping all the vocal parts to create music that would leave both audiences and performers transported by an amazing depth of meaning and feeling.  His special gift was inspiring.  A few shows of ours found me wanting to give him something back, and so I would write him a few lines of poetry.  I'd like to share one poem here, a poem I wrote for him towards the end of his tenure with GMCLA.  I will never forget Dominic, and I pray that he has moved into a realm in which he will not only make music, but BE MUSIC.

The Conductor’s Sonnet
--for Dominic Gregorio, Artistic Director of GMCLA

If e’er there was a spirit meant for song,
This virtuoso has it in his blood--
This leader meant to carry the baton,
And dance and beautify, and let the bud

Of education blossom into joy.
Music has a math, notes have parts and sums.
He teaches these with glee, just like a boy,
Happy to share with his friends all his fun.

When his beat bounces, when our voices soar,
He melts into his work, and we do, too.
Then magic meets in whispers and in roars,
As everything we sing is shaped anew.

His vision, shared and transferred, is a gift,
For it allows the voice and soul to lift.

Paul Tifford Jr.
8-20-2010


Dear José and Ella Gregorio: Dominic was a very bright light in Regina, and everyone who met him, studied with him, sung for him, worked with him, was struck by his zest for life and his passion for music.  I admired him greatly for his professionalism, and his work at the University of Regina.  He will be so greatly missed.  

Dear Dominic
You were so dear and special for many. Your smile and hugs during our yoga teacher training in Rishikesh have stayed with me since 2011. The promise that we will meet again in my hometown in Helsinki in the summer of 2019, made me so grateful, that we are not only keeping in touch in the virtual world but meet finally again in person. It was meant differently.  Maybe your intention: "I would like to make good on my promise to come visit you!" will be realized in the spiritual world.  My love with you and your love will stay with me forever! Thank you for visiting my life. The impact is eternal. Blessings to your eternal journey.  My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dominic. No words are enough to express the sadness and the value of Dominc!

I pay tribute to Dominic whose impressive musical gifts were complimented by his caring nature, inquisitive mind, intelligence, creativity and kindness. His easy smile spread love that brought people together and provided a sense of community. I hope that he knew how much he was respected and loved. He shall be remembered for all the good he did for others. I hope that his immediate family gains solace in knowing that he influenced so many to strive to be better musicians and human beings. He meant so much to so many. We shall remember him with gratitude and love.

Dear Irene and family of Dominic,
I am deeply saddened by the news of Dominic's passing.  I was looking forward to seeing him in May for his Koro Pamati project  with Nilo and Fritz.  Most of all, I will miss our exchanges and backchannells on social media as he often would ask me about the Center for Babaylan Studies or about decolonization and spirituality.  I always felt his beautiful soul and his heartfelt search for a connection to his cultural roots in the Philippines. I know he felt deeply transformed by this connection and deepened his love for the work he was meant to do in this life via music.   I love him so much and I will miss him. At the same time, I am filled with gratitude for having met him and for the heart and soul connection we shared. 

On behalf of the Center for Babaylan Studies community, 
Leny Strobel
https://www.centerforbabaylanstudies.org/


I met Dominic in grade school around the age of 9.

 From our very first meeting I knew he was especially kind and charismatic. He was genuinely friends with everyone and as a new student that is  a magnificent feat! 

Our first school project together as kids was a musical one, I can still sing the song we worked on together by heart and think of him fondly when it crosses my mind. He was immensely talented even at the age of 9 or 10. 

I send my deepest sympathy to the entire family. This is a tragic loss and I hope you find peace in this difficult time. 
Much love from Guelph Ontario

In 2000 I decided to join a choir in Toronto and went to rehearsal that very day and there he was, young, brilliant with a smile that welcomed everyone and revealed a gem of a person.  Somewhere in that rehearsal he sang a note or phrase and the sound was as amazing as everything else.  It was there I got to know and love Dominic Gregorio.  I would watch his career bloom, receive occasional greetings on facebook and be blessed with a couple of visits when he was in Toronto. Once he bumped into me by accident on the street and asked if he could stay at my place. While he was there he sang.  I was so moved by the beauty that flowed so effortlessly and that really was the story of his life.  As I remembered him at mass this week it was a unique mix of profound sadness but also of thanksgiving that I had shared some moments of that life. Like so many I was truly blessed. The impact he has made was profound and changed lives for the better. May the Holy Angels of God enfold him in their love just as Dominic enfolded us in his love.  Rest eternal grant unto him O Lord, And may light perpetual shine upon him in peace.

I met Dom after his doctoral professor recommended him to be assistant conductor of Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. I could not have known what a brilliant young man sat before me at the Casbah Cafe. I was so impressed that I offered him the position the same day.

He was to become one of the most significant artistic colleagues of my life and career. He was a wonderful voice technician; during the remaining time I worked with the chorus he provided the most effective voice instruction I had seen in my forty-plus year career.

I trusted him completely to guide the chorus while I took a sabbatical. He accomplished a success beyond my best dreams. 

After two years, my time with GMCLA ended and he took my place continuing to impact the musical, educational and social activism of the group. When he left to study yoga, spiritual and public service in his family’s home country, the Phillipines, and in India, he was lauded as one of the strongest leaders the chorus had in its now forty-year existence.

Beyond all this, I trusted him as a personal advisor. His insights far exceeded his youthful age. He was truly an “old soul” who gifted everyone he met with his unique warmth and acceptance. I believe everyone who ever knew him was a better, more sensitive, and accomplished person because of his influence.

Dominic will never die in my memory. I will treasure him with every breath and my last one.

Rest, my dear. I’ll love you forever.

I was part of the Toronto Choir "Singing Out" I well recall the evening Dominic conducted us while trying out for the position of music Director he was young energetic with an amazing smile and voice and one could feel the love and joy he conveyed.
We were fortunate he was chosen we became a great choir under his direction we recorded a cd which is an amazing body of work it took us all day Saturday and Sunday spending many hours Dominic encouraged us to  to bring the best out in us always patient and with a sense of humour the cd was amazing  Cannot believe Dominic has left us hopefully he is able to make music on a different sphere Thank you for being part of my life Rest in Peace Dominic....

OBITUARY

Dr Dominic Catipay Gregorio

14 June, 1977 – 3 March, 2019

Victoria Avenue Funeral Home and Cremation Centre

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