Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

   Richard,

   I know what you mean.  Last year I was a member of a church choir,
   and have to give it up for a time.  Time and travel will not permit
   me to be active.  I did enjoy hearing the voices and the diciplined
   exercise it gave mine.  I look forward to getting back to singing,
   it's such a great joy.

   Allison

I have sung in choirs all my life getting an early start
since my mother was the church organist/choir director.

In high school, I sang in both my high school Concert Choir
(where the director had some problems controlling the choir)
and in the local Fine Arts Chorale (where some of the same
kids who caused most of the trouble in my high school choir
worked hard and caused no problems in this 120-member group).

In college I had to make a decision whether to try out for
the basketball team or sing in the choir.  My neighbor across
the street never did understand why I chose the choir.  :-)
Dr. Walter McIver was our choir director, a Presbyterian who,
although he could not play the piano very well, could direct a
choir as well as anyone.  All music was memorized; the expec-
tations included total concentration both during rehearsal and
performance.  He taught us to recognize our mistakes and correct
them ourselves.  He had a deep faith in God (this was a Methodist
related college although I expect half the student body didn't
know that) which was often indirectly referred to.  He retired
in 1976 at the age of 65.  Both his sons at that time were
college choir directors; such was the influence of the man.  I
just read last week that not only is he still living, he's still
directing choirs!

Since then I've sung in numerous church choirs from the 5 member
group I directed to the current 40 member group I sing in today.
We are singing (with acting) the musical "The King" in several
weeks and I expect it to be a very moving experience.  I am blessed
to sing with such talented and dedicated musicians as we have in
our church.

Collis

    I have nothing but envy for those people who can actually sing in the
    presence of others.  I make it a practice to sing only in the privacy
    of my own home, with doors and windows bolted, or in my car. 
    Unfortunately, my car windows is often open, much to the pain of those
    in nearby cars (cars offer the illusion of privacy that is not accurate
    on hot summer days.)

    Whenever I attended church services that had participatory singing, I
    rose with the rest of the congregation, book in hand, read the lyrics
    silently, and listened politely to the music.  I could not bring myself
    to sing out loud.  Of course, my excuse often was that I hadn't heard
    the song enough times to be entirely unfamiliar with it, and thus I
    didn't know the melody.  :-)

    -- Mike

I'm with Mike V on this one, usually only singing in my car or shower.  
Although some of my happiest musical memories are when I sang in the 
choir of the local Rainbow girls and the words of all those 
lovely hymns, I wouldn't have the courage to sing in a choir today.

Being married to a musician/choir director/organist, I've come to
appreciate the work and dedication involved.  It is very moving for me
to watch him breathe life and spirit into the music.  He often
encourages me to sing along with him at the piano while he practices.
Ah, it must be love if he can endure my off-key voice in his ear. 

Ro

    Contrary to what he'd like you to believe, Mike V. has a lovely voice. 
    I have very fond memories of an Indigo Girls marathon we sang in my
    car last spring.  :-)
    
    I have been in choirs and music in general since my mother taught me to
    harmonize to "Angels We Have Heard on High" when I was three.  I've
    sung backup (we have a combination of group and solo offerings at our
    church) at my church for the past 5 years, started the choir two years
    ago and became a soloist last spring.  To me, singing is the ultimate
    gift I can give and when I sing I try to let go of me and just let
    God's voice express through me.  Feeling that connection to God through
    music is the greatest bliss I've ever experienced.
    
    Nanci 

    Nanci, you are too kind.  But coming from one who I believe has
    a truly lovely voice, thank you.  :-)
    
    -- Mike

			         W A N T E D !

			         Choir Members

	Positions Open: in soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

	Physical qualifications:  Must be able to carry light musical
	notes partway across the sanctuary.  Must have sufficient vision
	to see the Director from a maximum of 15 feet.

	Experience:  No applications accepted from people who have not
	sung, hummed or whistled in the shower or bath tub.

	Beginning wages:  Increaced satisfaction and joy in God's service.

	Advancement opportunities:  Members who demonstrate unusual ability
	may sing solos occasionally.