High School Chorus

I don't think I ever explained the story regarding my own musical experience here on Luke's Ponderings. And so, for a little change of pace, here is my own personal story regarding music.

So I was in eighth grade, getting ready to transition into high school and trying to decide exactly which classes I wanted to take. There was the usual Algebra, Biology, and those kinds of classes. I even took high school art as a freshman even though I should have taken it much later in my high school career (I was one of only two freshman in a class of about 25). But it was my decision to take high school chorus for a class that not only changed my perspective on singing, but on music in general. And I can honestly say that it's had a profound effect on my life ever since.

I wasn't sure I was going to like high school chorus all that much. I was a pretty shy kid and being in front of an audience, let alone a group of your fellow classmates wasn't exactly my cup of tea. But I'm sure you all know how it is when you're 14 or 15 years old. It was definitely a trying time for me but I believe it made me stronger. When I first joined the class, I wasn't all that loud of a singer. I often stood in the back and I honestly did sing, but nobody out in the audience could hear me. But I did enjoy the class, minus some of the more obnoxious classmates I had to deal with. Our teacher at the time got so upset with us at one point she stormed out of the class and into her little office and wouldn't come out. Talk about an awkward situation there. Eventually she came around and the class settled down after that certain circumstance.

In all, I was in high school chorus during all four of my years in high school. It's a decision I certainly do not regret to this day. When deciding between chorus or Senior English for my 12th year of high school, I picked chorus. Obviously the English course could have helped me more as I entered college, but I don't think it hurt me in the least as I look back. At least I can say I was in a music program during high school. I was never interested in playing an instrument so being able to sing was the next best thing. Probably my finest (and our school's) achievement was when we were given a number one rating for sight reading at this regional choir competition that's held annually. Sight reading is when you harmonize the notes in a particular piece of music. Luckily for us, we practiced the exact same piece of music that was used for sight reading at the competition. It would've looked foolish if we received anything less than a two.

As the years slip by, my memories of high school continue to fade into oblivion. However, memories of high school chorus are still quite strong. It's hard to remember exactly what we sang in each of the years I participated in the class, but I recall quite a few of the songs. We sang selections by Garth Brooks, Queen, and did medleys from Disney movies "Aladdin" and "Beauty and the Beast," just to name a few. I ended up enjoying the class instead of loathing it. I enjoyed singing with my classmates. Instead of barely hearing me in the group, I eventually became the loudest male singer. It truly was a fulfilling endeavor and I am glad I pushed through all four years of the class in high school. I certainly have no regrets with that decision.