Sketching on the bulletin up in the choir loft, during the sermon last Sunday... Over the past few weeks, I’ve gone back to singing in the cathedral choir. As the warmer weather appeared, the risk/benefit ratio between continuing to be super-careful and starting to live more normally seemed to change. My husband had started encouraging me to go back to the choir, but I was unsure. One day not long ago I went for a walk, feeling a bit morose and sorry for myself, but by the time I came back home, I had made a decision to write to the music director and ask if it would be all right for me to return. He said yes, and on the next Sunday, I sang in person with the group for the first time in three years.
Hi Beth, your post evoked fond memories for me, especially the title. Sally continued singing in choirs and community choruses after moving to Iowa, and would often break into song at the mere mention of a word or phrase. Singing brought her much joy, and "How Can I Keep from Singing" was the final hymn in her funeral service at her Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. We also had a service of remembrance at the Church of the Epiphany in Sherburne. One of her choral highlights was traveling to NYC with her choir and singing a piece by John Rutter that the group performed at Carnegie Hall. It was a thrill for her to practice with and be conducted by the composer. I'm glad to know you are continuing to sing, play the piano, draw and write, all of which are such joyful activities. Carry on!
Thank you for this beautiful meditation, Beth. When I had the privilege of singing evensong with Patrick Wedd and the choir I told him I felt like a crow among the birds of paradise. I am especially interested in what you write about the corporate bodily experience of singing in a choir. By the way, I hope your drawing during the sermon didn’t distract you from the preacher’s efforts!
Beautifully written. I’ve been in various choirs most of my life. When I lived in London I was part of a chamber choir that did a fortnightly church service. I remember my first one and being handed a choral hymn book and told “unison, harmony, harmony, unison with descant” and then the organ started! Trying to read the words while also following the alto line at the top of the page was a real lesson in sight singing!
When I left London I took a while to find the right choir for me in Bristol but have recently found one. I fully agree about the camaraderie- you have to really trust each other to make a good collective sound. I also find myself baffled by how we (humans) can hear a note, then picture the interval above that you need, then the note comes out of your mouth. It’s pure magic
Hi Beth, your post evoked fond memories for me, especially the title. Sally continued singing in choirs and community choruses after moving to Iowa, and would often break into song at the mere mention of a word or phrase. Singing brought her much joy, and "How Can I Keep from Singing" was the final hymn in her funeral service at her Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. We also had a service of remembrance at the Church of the Epiphany in Sherburne. One of her choral highlights was traveling to NYC with her choir and singing a piece by John Rutter that the group performed at Carnegie Hall. It was a thrill for her to practice with and be conducted by the composer. I'm glad to know you are continuing to sing, play the piano, draw and write, all of which are such joyful activities. Carry on!
Thank you for this beautiful meditation, Beth. When I had the privilege of singing evensong with Patrick Wedd and the choir I told him I felt like a crow among the birds of paradise. I am especially interested in what you write about the corporate bodily experience of singing in a choir. By the way, I hope your drawing during the sermon didn’t distract you from the preacher’s efforts!
Beautifully written. I’ve been in various choirs most of my life. When I lived in London I was part of a chamber choir that did a fortnightly church service. I remember my first one and being handed a choral hymn book and told “unison, harmony, harmony, unison with descant” and then the organ started! Trying to read the words while also following the alto line at the top of the page was a real lesson in sight singing!
When I left London I took a while to find the right choir for me in Bristol but have recently found one. I fully agree about the camaraderie- you have to really trust each other to make a good collective sound. I also find myself baffled by how we (humans) can hear a note, then picture the interval above that you need, then the note comes out of your mouth. It’s pure magic