Retiring members of the choir left their seats open this week to be filled by new members of choir. I'm not entirely sure how many new ones we have this time, but it's a larger number than usual. So much so that on Thursday night for rehearsal, there weren't enough seats for everyone! I suppose that's a good problem to have because it ensures a full loft moving forward. At any rate though, as I've mentioned every year since I've been in the choir, the energy and excitement and humble anticipation of these new members always takes me by surprise. I was sitting next to a new baritone today (Steve) and he commented on what fantastic music we get to sing--so many truly great pieces. I sort of nodded my head in agreement, but in my mind I was like "Yeah Ryan...why don't you think of THAT fact instead of thinking about how unhappy you are sometimes to sing some of these great songs for the 56th time!"
It's comments like the ones Steve made that always put me in my place each year and help me be more grateful for the experience I'm having. So thanks, Newbies!
Not sure there's too much more to say about this week.
Well, maybe just one thing to illustrate the point that everyone of us needs each other.
One of the songs we sang today was sung 2/3rds of the time by us holding our folders. The last 1/3rd was sung memorized--mainly because while we were singing the first 2/3rds of the song, the broadcast was showing what we call "overroll"--videos of nature, people, families, etc--so it really didn't matter if we used our folders or not. But the last 1/3rd, the cameras were on the choir, so right before that happened, we were supposed to lower our folders.
Well, guess who was the only person not to lower his folder? Yep. Yours truly.
As that was unfolding, I started getting nudges from the person next to me and the person behind me. As first I was like "what's up guys?!" and then I realized what they were trying to communicate to me. I quickly lowered my folder, but whether or not I did that in time, I'm not sure.
My fears were confirmed when, after the broadcast, the technicians informed Mack that we needed to re-film that song. Whether it was because there was some other problem that happened or whether it was because the camera caught me lowering my folder, I'm not sure. But you can bet I felt pretty terrible about it.
That said, I was grateful for my fellow basses looking out for me. I've realized more and more lately that as much as we might get in the mindset occasionally that we can do things on our own, it's probably not true. We need other people. We need to be around them, to love them, to help them, and to gently correct them (and be corrected by them) if needs be.
Until next time, God be with you.
(And congrats newbies on officially starting your journey)
No comments:
Post a Comment