Choral Potpourri: ‘Tis the Season for Memories

 

 

There are sights and smells and food which evoke memories in us during this season, more so than at any other time. Whether we celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas or Winter Solstice, there should be something which takes us back to that simpler time in our lives and makes us feel good…..and nostalgic. Holiday specials—from Charlie Brown or Rudolph or Frosty–seem to do this for most of the general public but for musicians, it is the music.

 

Do you remember the first holiday concert or pageant you were a part of? What did you do or sing? Do you remember most of the words and the name of your director? What about the first time you heard  G.F. Handel’s Messiah in its complete form? And I don’t mean just the Christmas portions and “Hallelujah.” Do you remember your first holiday season as a choral conductor? What did your choirs sing? While you were inexperienced, it probably was magical and still holds a special place in your heart.

 

Like many of you, one of my first choral memories is holiday related. I was about six or seven and we were singing Leo Sowerby’s unison arrangement of “The Manger Carol.” I was rehearsing this piece when I first realized I loved singing in a choir. There were about 15 of us in Cherub Choir and we had been working and working getting the unison just right. On the last rehearsal before we sang on the fourth Sunday of Advent, all the voices seemed to line up and it was as if ONE GIANT VOICE was singing. My skin prickled. And when we sang that Sunday, it prickled again…..it was magical. I like to think that particular unison lured me into thinking about being a choral conductor. And now, if there is ever a reason for any one of my choirs to sing that Sowerby, we do!

 

As we hurtle toward the Home Stretch of this concert and holiday season, I wish for you the Magic, Hope and Peace of those simpler times. And the cookies!