Replies

Morning AB, All,

As always, thank you AB for doing this thread, thank you Bray for weekly wisdom, thank you yon commenters for wise input.

Am singing at the 10 am mass this morning. And what a big deal this is going to be. For the new organ is now all wired to the sound system, we going to have on person playing the piano, one playing the organ, the band AND the choir is going to be in the loft….where we do have brand new chairs, new places to store our coats and maybe somewhere to kneel.

This past Thursday we had practice and wow….just wow.

Best I can describe it is …magnificent.

It’s like being in….like being INSIDE music when the piano and organ are playing. And for whatever godawful reason I am right center between the two big keyboards but I don’t mind. That organ is so pretty I am transported. And since we’re already up high, I consider this is what music must sound like in heaven.

And if y’all will indulge me, let me share a wonderful moment during that practice although I come off as not too humble.

So what else is new yon reader might mumble.

First of all, it’s the prettiest song I have ever heard in my life and I’m not young. Maybe y’all heard it as many in the choir did know it.

It’s called “For Those Tears I Died”.

EVERY single note is in my range and then the glory began.

Let me give you a few lyrics of the song….might nudge yon reader’s memory. I am to understand that this is NOT a Catholic song.

“And Jesus said ‘Come to the River, Stand by my side. I know you are thirsty; you won’t be denied.

I heard every tear drop when in darkness you cried. And I strove to remind you, that for those tears I died.”

Well hell you can look it up on Youtube, there’s plenty of choices.

I never heard that song before but the grand piano started playing, the organ picked it up and as I stood enveloped in this munificence of sound I began to sing this song I never heard before.

I am not a solo singer. I have NEVER sang at a wedding or funeral, not even for my church’s not too distant talent show….then I was Sister Pat some of you might remember.

But guys, I am a choir singer and have been all my life. I’ve got a big voice, even if my range is not too high. And Choir directors have always valued me and I’ve got a little story about Todd, my current Choir leader.

Because that music bowl I was in transported me to somewhere I the choir, not literally but almost, stood back when I began to sing that beautiful, gorgeous song. Even the lyrics moved me to some magical place.

I only need to pray.

Jesus, why me?

It hit my emotional core so much and lifted me, surrounded and wrapped in beautiful music and the choir sang and all you could hear was my voice.

Of course the choir provided back up, insert wink here.

Todd had us practice that song about twelve times until he said “one more time” and we said we were hoarse. I was quite suspicious that he was enjoying playing that new organ so beautifully and yeah, listening to the choir sing as backup, with me leading the way. I mean you can hear yourself sing. That song brought out the best in me, I knew I sounded terrific.

Earlier that day I got an email from Todd. They are starting some kind of music group with more modern and happening religious music and I know this is Father Tom’s idea.

Yeah, that guy. Father Flowers.

I thought about it and figured, I’d give it a try. I was the only choir member Todd sent this too as he CC’d me in a message with a blurb about this new music group for the church newsletter. I guess it was a compliment.

Todd did not respond to my email BEFORE that mighty choir practice . HE’d promised to keep volunteers for this new music group with music within their range. In my response I told him I am limited to my famous four notes but sure I was game.

AFTER choir practice I got an answer from Todd that made my day.

He told me he would do his best to keep the music in my range….and below a direct quote….

“I LOVE YOUR FOUR NOTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Including all those exclamation points.

I’ve been on cloud 9-which is part of the choir loft I am sure.

I knew he was making us practice that song JUST TO HEAR ME SING!

Call me nuts and I always knew that Todd loved my singing.

Because in all this world there is nothing prettier than the sound of human voices joining in song, harmonizing. I have always loved choral music and of course Todd does too.

He always puts the microphone in front of MY face and last week he told me to straddle the balcony cause we didn’t have speakers and the church got to hear ME singing the whole mass.

Heh.

All those sopranos sing pretty but my voice comes in and goes UNDER them all and lifts the choir up to new heights.

They all know that.

Anyway, will be back and if you get a chance, listen to that song.

The prettiest song I’ve ever heard of a religious nature.