Sunday, June 15, 2008

Boy, Would My Brother Be Surprised

I joined the choir. (or the Schola Cantorum, if you're speaking Latin. Which I am trying to do ...hence my involvement.)

When I met with the parish priest weeks ago, I mentioned how I was really enjoying the Latin and starting to even keep up with it throughout the Mass. He responded by saying the best way to learn Latin was to join the choir. I laughed and said I didn't think I had that good of a voice. He quickly said, "Doesn't matter. Just join and you'll learn Latin faster."

So, that's how I came to be at an 8:00 AM rehearsal and then joining the rest of the group in the choir loft.

I am so thankful for one singer, Rhonda, who is one of the sweetest women I've met. She is also an alto. By standing next to her, I could make out her part of the harmony. I really loved being near everyone as they sang the various responses. During the past few weeks, I've recognized the words and phrasing more and more but yet didn't hear too many around me sing. I really want to learn so I do think this is the best way to do it. I'm looking forward to the day where I can sing more confidently.

My brother would be surprised because he always teased me about my singing voice. He has sung in a few bands, so of course this makes him an expert on singing. (He good-naturedly has ribbed me about it, nothing thankfully, vicious.) My father used to sing in a choir and also was a musician/singer. He's proud of me for trying. Thank God for fathers. (especially today!)

If I get bold enough, someday I may record the schola and put it on YouTube. I'll just make sure my brother doesn't get wind of it.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm an alto too... but I sing in an entirely different type of choir. I've been a member of a Black Gospel Choir in my Catholic church for almost 30 years. I love it! Much of the music we sing is directly from the psalms; so not only do we sing, we pray the songs we sing.

For instance:

"As the deer panteth for the water,
So my soul yearneth after thee.
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship thee...."

Rachel said...

That's awesome you're in a schola! This is for a TLM, right? I've thought of it myself, but the TLM I usually go to has an all-male schola, believe it or not, and I wouldn't want to mess that up even if I could. Do you find being in the choir interferes with your ability to worship during the Mass?