I learned too late in life that one can learn to sing.
I have tried to improve, and now I can almost carry a tune.
But I still can't hear harmony very well.
When I sit by someone in choir with a strong alto voice, I can sing almost as well as they can. But if I sit by people who are struggling to find the part, then we all flounder and can't find our way.
This experience always reminds me of how much I rely on other people--on their voice, their guidance, their support--to find my way in life. And having sat beside them, now there are days that I can sing alto, or have faith, or be a good neighbor, all by myself.
I've tagged along with my accompanist mother to choir since I was 12. My improvement as a singer is marginal, but I've learned many lessons while sitting in choir.
I love a note or phrase or verse sung in unison. One voice, one mind, one heart is a powerful thing.
But there is great texture in harmony, in the mix of different voices. A harmony part by itself may sound awkward, but when put together with the whole, it makes beautiful, rich music. Harmony can tell its own story, or add interest to the melody.
We all are trying to sing The Song of Redeeming Love, but our differences need not be dissident.
I always think it's funny when the sopranos complain when they're not given the melody to sing. They are used to the easy part; they're unfamiliar with harmony. Shouldn't we all try to walk in someone else's shoes sometimes? Shouldn't we be willing to carry the harder load occasionally?
Timing matters. There are times to sing fast, or slow, or loud or soft. Times to sing solo, or with others, in harmony or in unison. Timing matters in life. There are times to hurry, times to slow down; times to be heard, and times to be quiet; times to act on your own, and times to conform to the group. Life is a beautiful rendition when we learn the timing.
A choir would sound terrible if everyone sang their own song. It's beautiful when everyone follows the same music and the same leader. Zion is a beautiful place when everyone reads the instructions (scriptures) and follows the leader (prophet).Not all people who come to choir can sing very well; some don't even read music. People come because they love to sing, or to be obedient. Almost all come willingly. That is a happy group of people. The sum of their parts is greater than the whole.
Lots of people sing very well, but don't come to choir at all.
Pox on them and their excuses.
I'm of the opinion that the whole congregation should be in the choir. It's nice to sit in the audience and listen to beautiful music, but it's even better to sing that music, joining your voice with others in making a joyful sound.
Life isn't a spectator sport. We were meant to be on stage, tuned in, hooked up and bowled over by the experience.
Every time I go to choir I have thoughts like these.
Mostly I go to choir because of hope.
I hope that if I am faithful in supporting the choir now, that maybe I will be rewarded in the next life with a voice to match my love of music.
And if I don't make the cut for the Heavenly Choir, I will have learned a lot of lessons, feebly sung a lot of beautiful songs, and still get to enjoy the music.
It's a win-win situation.
6 comments:
I LOVE this post! I don't sing either, and yet I'm there in choir practice every week. I'm the range of an alto, but I get put in with the Sopranos because (gasp!) I'm the strongest singer there! That, and I don't do well singing harmony. I'm working hard to learn it, but I don't do it well or easily. We have just one tenor in our choir, three basses, and 2 altos (when they both come, today there were none). Our soprano section is almost entirely teenage girls.
We have several really excellent singers in our ward, but not a one of them will come to choir. I've even heard them asked straight out why they don't come and they have no answer. I don't understand them either, and I agree; pox on them and their excuses! Our choir is pitiful with no talent, but our hearts are there in it, wanting to do better and I believe when we perform, we are blessed beyond our ability. And I hope that this small but faithful group continues to be blessed for their faithfulness and heart.
Besides the comments on the choir itself, I love how you used this as such a great analogy to life. Timing truly is so important in all we do in life. I think this is one of the wisest and most beautiful posts I've seen from you. Every post you put up resonates with me and enriches me in one way or another, but this one touches my heart in a way the others haven't. Keep posting. I love you!!
You said the words I haven't yet formed. Ok, so I didn't learn all those wonderful lessons at choir, but that's because I'm a failure at choir attendance. I want to go, I want to learn, I want to contribute; unfortunately, my overwhelming sense of inadequacy stops me from doing any of the above. I don't sing well, I can't read music, and I do NOT hear harmony. I do think, however, I will make special effort to join in choir whenever I get the chance. Thanks for the reminder on life's little lessons.
I agree with everything you said! It is bittersweet that our ward does not have a functioning choir- bitter because of what I am missing out on and sweet because I get to sing a rest hymn every week and my pitiful alto voice loves to sing out praises in the soprano part!
Such a beautiful post mom!
I loved this post too, and as I read your thoughts and comments I thought to myself what a huge music snob I am, am I robbing someone of a good experience simply because I don't participate? Well at this time we don't have a choir, but I used to sing in a quartet at church and for church functions and I loved it. I loved exercising my voice, stretching my testimony and enjoying the company of my friends and fellow singers, but none of us would join the ward choir. I am a snob. I must reach outside myself and see how I can help others grow...in music and in the gospel.
I can't sing either, but sometimes have moments where I think I'm singing okay, that's usually when there's a strong alto behind me too. Not being able to sing well is one of the great frustrations of my life because I love music so much. I like being in primary because the kids don't sing technically, they just sing from their hearts and so do I. I feel comfortable belting it out even though I know I sound awful.
Dear, dear Georgia--I enjoy reading your posts very much, each and every one of them. This one however reaches a deeper, richer level. What a wonderful talent you are blessed with, that of knowing how to use words to touch our souls and make us think.
How thankful I am for you in my life and for the richness you add.
Miss you already, and you just left.
Love,
Julie
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