Can we talk?

Last Sunday's Choir

         Last Sunday we had a new arrangement of an old hymn. The pianist is a professional musician who plays in area bands and does many instruments. We also had a flute and oboe accompaniment. We had not practiced with the flute and oboe until just before the service.

         In an instrumental passage, the director lost track and didn't bring in the choir. It's amazing that no one started without him. We were all counting, but watching for his direction. He missed it. He laughed and whispered something. We nodded on the front row. He stopped, turned to the audience, apologized, and told the musicians where to start. The pianist didn't hear him correctly, so they didn't start at the same place. They had to stop and the director yelled out the pick up at measure number, and they started again. He still missed bringing us in. He stopped many measures of background only later, turned, red-faced, and apologized again. This time he counted, and he signaled us appropriately. We continued on, ending with a beautiful instrumental finale. They were very talented.

         The audience politely applauded, whether for the professional class instrumentalists, or forgiving of the troubled spot, It proves how vital the director is, no matter how good the musicians. They can't do it without a leader. It also proves that everyone is human. Fortunately, it was only church where everyone is very forgiving. At rehearsal this week, we all had a good laugh.