Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I like about singing in the choir.

When I planned my retirement in 2000, my list of activities was long and detailed--art, writing, travel, volunteering, study--it was even posted on my website (since taken down). Choir wasn’t on the list--for good reason. I didn’t sing much. Actually, it was closer to "never" than to "much." Not only was I not singing, I was losing my ability to read music. Our church uses screens rather than hymnals, and I'd given my piano to my daughter. When I was employed as a librarian, I taught classes, attended meetings, discussed reference and bibliographic problems with library users, supervised my staff and went to lunch with colleagues. By 6 p.m., I only wanted to collapse--not talk or sing. After retirement, I didn’t talk much at all--sometimes not for hours or all day and soon I was also losing my speaking voice. So last fall I decided I would join the church choir that had started a new schedule in a location that was convenient for me. Then I got bronchitis, so I didn’t start until February 2006. Here’s 13 things I like about singing in the choir.

1. I loved liked singing when I was young.

2. I have many memories of “junior choir” in church as a young child and the “Treble Clef” choir in high school, so it is a bit of a stroll down memory lane to be singing again.

3. I grew up in a home with music and I miss that. I even sang in a little quartet with my siblings. Only one of us had the talent and determination to become a musician and it wasn't me, but I did take piano lessons and play trombone as well as participate in choirs.

4. I think my weak vocal chords might benefit from some exercise, just like my other body parts.

5. Music may also be good for the brain cells and learning to breathe correctly can‘t hurt either.

6. The choir members are a fun loving, delightful group. They know how to laugh, but they can really get down to business. Some are professionals.

7. The director, Mike Martin, is fabulous. I’m learning a lot (that’s good for you too). He’s the director of music at a local high school and a wonderful pianist.

8. Worship with the choir feels more intimate and focused than when sitting in a pew. We have prayers about our task and each other‘s concerns, discussion of the meaning of the words, and devotions after rehearsal. Because we sit in a loft behind the congregation we are free to join our families in the sanctuary when we are finished with the anthem.

9. In worship, God is the audience and we are the performers--all of us. The hymns sound better to my ear when I’m surrounded by terrific sopranos and tenors. We sing at the two traditional services (we have eleven) and those have the beautiful hymns with the good words.

10. I love sitting within a few feet of the piano and pipe organ and watching the musicians. There's a lot going on behind the scenes that I didn't know about and I'm impressed.

11. When I hang out with talented people like the choir members, I hope some of it might rub off on me and I‘ll get better. If you want to play better tennis or golf or chess, always play with those who are better than you.

12. Thankfully, no one has asked me to audition, but I'm pretty sure I’ll never be a soprano again. I’ve moved to the alto section, and they are nice too.

13. Scripture says to “Make a joyful noise,” so I’m really confident I can at least do that. Joyfully.

Visitors and other Thirteeners: 1. Anvilcloud from Canada, 2. Carol, a reading specialist 3. Tanya, from North Queensland 4. Dariana, a new grandmother and more on the way, 5. Elle, a UK knitter, 6. Denise, who has free templates, 7. Wystful1 who is a retiree and a grandmother, 8. TNChick, who is from the great state of Tennessee, 9. Melli who is limber and losing, 10. Jade, Arizona domestic diva, 11. Veronika from nearby Indiana, 12. Dawn, a country girl, 13. Carmen looking for an agent, 14. Jane the reader, 15. Mar blogging from Spain, 16. FrogLegs with a very interesting medical history, 17. Stacey's in the supermarket, 18. Nicole on a roller coaster, 19. Eph2810, living in AZ, missing Germany 20. Lingerie Lady who votes early and often, 21. d. Roe, not feeling love today, 22. Chickadee, hoping for a new job 23. Kimmy, with all the facts, 24. Courtney with a huge pile of books, 25. Mamma M trying Flylady, 26. Lindsey taking quizes, 27. TutuBent reviewing her life, 28. Lily Bleu who loves movies, 29. Katherine, who loves her hubby, 30. Kdubs taking photos, 31. Lazy Daisy who's a friend to many, 32. Mama Kelly, 33. JK who's had a touch of flu, 34. Mama Bee, not even 30, 35. Angel, a real hockey fan, 36. Ardice with linkage, 37. Scouser, thinking more topics,


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