The choir is my family now that the others are gone
It’s a struggle to hit the high notes and pronounce the odd old English words of Benjamin Britten’sTwo choir rehearsals this week, two next, then the concert Sunday. Our new director reminds us to practise at home and makes no concessions to mediocrity. He is funny, enthusiastic and relentless in his expectations. Left to himself, he’d insist on auditions; fortunately that’s not an option. We are a community choir with a range of talent. I’m at the low end.
In Vancouver, living with an aunt for a year, I agreed to drive her to her Unitarian church on Sundays. I wasn’t particularly interested in the services but the choir called me. No auditions! The conductor slotted me into the second soprano section without asking questions. I learned then that when I’m in the middle of a crowd of good singers I can sing well enough to merit a place in the choir. Alone, my voice wilts. In a choir, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and the “whole” can be glorious. Sometimes I’ve been so moved by the beauty of the blended voices, I had to mouth the words, too choked up to produce sound.I always identified myself first and foremost as a choir member, but I also became part of the library group and the gardening team.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Georgia Mother Arrested for Letting Her Child Walk Alone, Highlighting Societal 'Safetyism'A 10-year-old boy in Georgia walked to a local store alone, leading to his mother's arrest for reckless endangerment. This incident exposes the societal overemphasis on child safety over their independence.
Read more »
Ask Lisi: Raising kids alone or together requires same thing — love and energyFather worries how he will raise his two boys and one girl after his wife of 16 years has left them
Read more »
Victims' ombudsperson wants 'femicide' made a stand-alone Criminal Code offenceFederal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime, Benjamin Roebuck speaks during a news conference, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024 in Ottawa.
Read more »
Rescue group saves 11-year-old girl floating alone in the Mediterranean for days after shipwreckAn 11-year-old girl from Sierra Leone was found floating in the Mediterranean Sea off Italy's southernmost island of Lampedusa, believed to be the only survivor of a shipwrecked migrant boat that had departed from the port of Sfax in Tunisia, a humanitarian group said Thursday.
Read more »
Emaciated Black Bear Cub Found Alone in AlbertaAn emaciated black bear cub found wandering alone in Alberta, Canada, is now in the care of the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC). Officials believe the cub's mother was killed, leaving him unable to gain the necessary weight for hibernation. The cub is being fed simple proteins and will require several months of care at the facility.
Read more »
The Enduring Charm of Kevin's Home: 'Home Alone' House Still Draws FansThe iconic red-brick Georgian-style house from the beloved holiday film 'Home Alone' continues to attract visitors from around the world, especially during the Christmas season. Located in Winnetka, Illinois, the house at 671 Lincoln Avenue has become a pilgrimage site for nostalgic fans, eager to catch a glimpse of the iconic filming locations and relive the magic of the movie.
Read more »