Two Brothers, One Passion

Marcos Daniel Flores shares many things with his brother, José Daniel Flores, besides a middle name. Both are highly talented musical performers. Both direct choirs. Both work at a church with a grand Steinway and a concert series. Both are married and have fathered a boy and a girl. And both look good in a tux.

Even so, there are some obvious differences. Marcos, 38, is five years younger than José as well as taller and “less skinny.” He is right-handed and “truly a pianist,” he says. José is left-handed and “truly an organist.” The piano at the Christ by the Sea Methodist Church, where Marcos has been music director of worship arts for two years, is a “New York Steinway.” The piano at the Community Church, where José has served as director of music for four years, is a “Hamburg Steinway.” But José is not typically the one playing it. Conducting is his area of expertise.

José, by his own admission, is a perfectionist. The disposition stems from his desire to see churches produce more music of excellence, he says. “Historically, church was the place all the great arts took place, the place many major compositions were born.” José believes highly trained musicians, as well as volunteers “challenged to do their best,” are as integral to worship as a well-prepared preacher. “If we’re going to expect great things from God, shouldn’t we give back the best we can offer? This is more important than anything done in Carnegie Hall. Here, music changes the lives of people.”

Read the entire article in the April 2007 issue