(no subject)

[jaala]

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day! I thought it would be just a smidgeon inappropriate to celebrate by talking and/or dressing like a pirate at church, however, especially now that I'm in the choir. Here's hoping that some people are celebrating a day late at school tomorrow.

Though I've been a church-goer on and off for much of my life, I've never sang in the choir. I was very briefly in the Junior Choir at my home church. (I didn't quit. The choir ceased to be.) And I attended one rehearsal of the senior choir at the same church as a teenager, only to get so fed up at the repertoire and direction that I was never seen again. I've played or sung in many church buildings. I've performed music at services. I've sung in the chorus of a liturgical play performed in two different church buildings. I've even taken part in a Cambridge chapel choir rehearsal (thanks to tea_cantata), but this was my first time actually sitting in the choir stalls during the service, singing the introit and anthems, and following trying to keep my music in order as I followed the bulletin. I didn't know when to stand up and sit down!

It was difficult not to be distracted by it all. This building is somewhat unusual among United churches in that it has box-like choir stalls that face inwards rather than out to the congregation. I'm not used to having part of the choir's sound (here containing an opera singer in the bass section) blasting directly at me like that! (I also got a sore neck from constantly looking to the right.) The last time I wore a robe before Mt A's commencement ceremony was during my short-lived Junior Choir days. And from where I now sat, I could see for the first time the church's interior gothic-style architecture and dark wood decorations in their full glory. Keep in mind: this is Methodist 'glory', so it's fairly restrained gothic, but still...

I'm glad I joined. Everyone is incredibly friendly. It looks like other students are joining too.

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In other choir-related news: I did end up auditioning for the Queen's Choral Ensemble. After last year's negative experience, I was planning to avoid humiliating myself again, but the other student in the church choir recommended that I try anyhow because I'd probably enjoy it if I got in. So after much indecision about what I should sing, I went with the tried and true (for other people) method of singing "O Canada" because I know it really well and it has a range I can handle while nervous. Things were much easier minus the illness and desperation of last year; even if I don't get in, I feel much better about it this time.

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Other musical news now. I'm practicing "Alma del Core" (Caldara) for my opera chorus audition. (I can even do da capo ornamentation when I'm really relaxed!) I'm also auditioning for the opera and musical theatre orchestras. I'm waiting until after my auditions to choose activities because any rejections will automatically narrow the field.

* * *

I missed Doors Open Kingston yesterday and a faculty recital... but I did attend a Link meeting! We ate, chatted, made tissue paper cut-outs, listened to Arrogant Worms music, and generally acted slightly weird. (People who've been in Guiding a long time tend to be like that.) All in all, a good time.

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And now, having frittered away the entire afternoon, I really need to catch up on some reading and housework.

Comments

[gridlockjoe.livejournal.com]

The choir ceased to be.

Has it rung down the curtain and joined the Choir Invisible?

[jaala]

This is an ex-choir!