Giving Thanks: A Chorister’s Guide to Gratitude

Peanut doesn’t think that he needs to be grateful for his kibble, he just expects it to be placed in front of him twice a day  Not so for Choral Musicians — we have much for which to be grateful.  Here is a notable list (pun intended!) for the singer to ponder:

C  is for Conductor — We are grateful for our conductors and artistic directors, the leaders who set the tone for our choral organizations.  They are always the hardest working member of the group!  Most of us form deep attachments to our conductors and often stay in touch for years after we have moved on to other projects.

D is for Diminuendo — The hardest dynamic to sing, a beautiful diminuendo is an important measure of a choir’s quality.  We all love to sing fortissimo, but a true pianissimo  is a gift to our listeners.

E is for Engagement — That deep sense on oneness that we feel with our fellow choir members, our artistic director and the music we are singing.  Our level of engagement is always communicated to our audience in subtle ways.

F is for Flat — Something we NEVER want to be!

G is for Good Health — We always  knew that singing promoted good health and now studies prove it:  deep breathing, good posture, and good muscle control are just some of the physical benefits.  We also reap emotional rewards, including forging friendships, improving our teamwork skills and finding a sense of purpose.

A is for Audience — Where would we be without an audience?  We are so grateful for those who take the time to attend our performances, encourage our efforts and show their appreciation for the work we do.

B is for Johann Sebastian Bach — Our most beloved composer!  We all love to sing Bach; the counterpoint is always satisfying and his form is always elegant.  The repertoire is enormous and the variety of his work is astounding.  No matter how many times we sing his music there is always something new to discover.

C is for Choirs — Most of all we are grateful for the thousands of choirs in communities, churches and schools throughout the United States.  These organizations, primarily staffed and run by volunteers,  allow us to express ourselves as vocal artists, to connect with other singers and to make beautiful music for our friends, families and neighbors.