Choral Potpourri: Unicorns

 “‘Do you know, I always thought unicorns were fabulous monsters, too? I never saw one alive before!’ ‘Well, now that we have seen each other,’ said the unicorn, ‘if you’ll believe in me, I’ll believe in you.'” –Lewis Carroll; Through the Looking Glass

 Several weeks ago, I was at my usual SAMBA (a community arts/municipality/business alliance) meeting. Afterwards, we were chatting about the usual things and I mentioned I often feel like a unicorn but don’t feel that way with them. What I meant to say is that it is nice not to have to explain or justify why I have certain views. Perhaps I don’t feel like an exotic creature when I am with a group of other exotic creatures. With other creative types I can be myself. I am sure many of you feel the same way.

I have always noticed I am more creative with other creative people. My creativity feeds off the others and I feel more creative. That’s one of the reasons I attend ACDA or other choral and music conferences as often as I can, to get my creative juices flowing. But with SAMBA, comprised of many other artists in different disciplines, I think I am even more creative and it is close to home.

We are involved together, this group of artists and business folk, putting together an alliance in our community for the good of the whole community. Our personal agendas are put to the side when we are together so our communal agenda can be brought to the front. And what is that communal agenda? To support the arts in our community and to attempt to make a positive difference in our area’s economic climate and more, I believe.

We have been meeting regularly for about two years, since June of 2014. Our meetings and agendas have evolved into something uniquely *us*, unicorn-like if you will. The business community is represented and, in fact, was the one to realize the need for this alliance of artists and business. The art genres run from visual artists, sculpture parks and galleries to art academic types to community performing organizations (jazz, choral and theater), a youth symphony as well as our local professional symphony. Two performing arts centers, one municipally based and one university based, are also involved. It’s been wonderful to be around so many wonderful, creative people with the shared goal of enriching our community.

During the past two years, we’ve come to realize we have much in common, no matter our art genre, and want to support each other. I’ve had several committee members hire my chamber choir (I think to begin with as a favor) for events or come to one of our concerts and be amazed at how good we are. And the same goes for me; I attend things I’ve not before and are delighted with what is available in our community. I will be sharing SAMBA’s journey here in my ChoralBlog during the rest of month of July; what we plan, how we got here and where we are headed.

A group of unicorns is called a Blessing and I know I am blessed to be involved with a wonderful group of fellow unicorns!