advoss1

[advoss1]

Something special

As spring comes into full bloom, I’ve been reflecting on my 3rd season with the Fairmont Presbyterian Church Choir and how grateful I am for them. It’s been a long time since I was truly sad for choir season to end. As I have reflected over the last week, I’ve realized that it’s so rare to realize, in the moment, that you’re a part of something really special.  The Clemson Tigers are my football team, and I read a couple stories over the past season about how there was something special about this past year’s team.  At the heart of it all, we all want to a part of something special, don’t we? A winning season for my Tigers; watching someone you love achieve their lifelong dream; making a trip or pilgrimage you’ve wished for for years. We all want it. I’ve been lucky to have a few moments like that over the years. A few moments that I wanted to last forever. A few moments where the stars aligned.  But I’m rambling now, so let me get on with the story.

This summer will be 4 years since I walked into my first rehearsal for an area choir and met a gregarious and bubbly (and slightly frenetic) soprano who worked at a church down the street that I’d been driving by years. As usually happens, I didn’t know at the time how much I would come to love, respect, and cherish Ashley Ross in the coming years and what a blessing she and her gift of music would be in my life. And I didn’t know that I would end up with a new church and a church family that would make me laugh, would cry with me, and would provide me with a wonderful place to continue to grow as a musician and in my faith.

It would be another year or so before I’d come to Fairmont Presbyterian Church to hear the choir. It was a beautiful September morning and I listened to Ashley’s husband and Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus bass/baritone, Claude fill the church with his voice. I figured, what could it hurt, why not join and have another place to sing and maybe a church to one day call home.

To be honest, those first few months were a little rough. The group was still learning who Ashley was as a director and she was still learning the group, but even in those early months, I could see that there was the potential for something unique. She continuously pushed the group to be better. She never expected perfection, but continued to believe that our best singing was still to be ahead of us.

In the intervening years, the group has grown in size and talent, in diversity, and most of all (I think most important to Ashley) in love for each other. We share our hurts and triumphs, our joys and pain, and we keep pushing each other to be stronger singers and make the music we sing at worship something that allows everyone to have a more fulfilling connection to God.

Musically, we’ve moved from simple 3 part harmonies to often singing 8-12 parts. The group collectively sight reads better than any other group I’ve been a part of. Just one look at our Holy Week music will give you a clue to how far we have come:

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross by Gilbert Martin

The Conversion of Saul by Z. Randall Stroope

Thy Will Be Done by Craig Courtney

Sure on This Shining Night by Morten Lauridsen

Even When He is Silent by Kim Andre Arnesen (singing this 2 times. Once in the round)

Sweet Hallelujah by Mark Miller

The Hallelujah Chorus

I was Glad by Sir Hubert Parry

Though this will be the part my dear friend Ashley will hate the most, I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about her ability to guide, shape, and direct this group to where we are today. She would tell you that it’s all because she had wonderful teachers, and while that is true, she is also pretty remarkable. I have long believed and experienced that they key to a successful choir isn’t just the raw talent of the group. The key is a director who can see that talent and find the key to unlock it. Ashley uses every tool in her toolbelt to push us to be better each week and with each run of a piece. She tells us to “be smart singers” and “don’t waste my time”. At first blush, those phrases come off as harsh, until you realize the deep well of love from which she says them. Ashley truly believes we can be the best church choir in the city (maybe the state? and possibly the world?). She gives 110% every time and expects us to bring our very best efforts every time. She also loves each of us uniquely: from going to the movies with Dee, to picking up Charlie from a doctor's appointment, to attending recitals for Josh and Devlan. Those things make a difference. And those things have helped this group grow from just a choir to a family who often laughs and cries together. I firmly believe that this group would not be where it is today without her steadfast belief that we can do just about anything and that we must always care for each other.

As I consider the coming weekend with lots of big singing to do, I could not have imagined, when I walked into Fairmont on that sunny September morning, how far this group would come in 3 seasons. So, if you couldn’t already tell, I have a bit of a love affair with my little church choir. There is something special about the Fairmont choir and I cannot wait to see where next year will take us. And if you’re still wondering where to celebrate Easter morning, come on over to Fairmont. We’d be so happy to have you.

[advoss1]

“I ask all players to play through their own personality and be who they are. What you ask of a player is to be a great teammate and be a good player. My expectations would be the same. Personally, there’s no discrimination in my heart.”

Jim Harbaugh, coach of the San Francisco 49ers, when asked how he would react to having an openly gay player on his team. (via OutSports)

[advoss1]

In life, in death, Oh Lord, abide with me! #aurora #theatershooting