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.

A Time to Sing

Wow. Christmas is only two days away. To me, it seems the holiday season just started not that long ago. And now already it is nearing a close. The holiday season just isn't as fulfilling as it used to be when you're a child. Christmas really was the most wonderful time of the year then. Now it just doesn't have that same luster. Welcome to adulthood. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas just seemed to last so much longer when I was a kid. Now that I'm a full-time worker and don't really get to enjoy the holidays as much as I used to, it really seems to go by quick. I'd say this is probably the fastest the holiday season has gone by yet. And I don't even have any kids!

But of course when you're a kid, there are just so many more events to enjoy and participate in to get you in the Christmas spirit. One of those events that continues for children around the world to this day are Christmas programs. As part of the music program at our school, each grade would sing a Christmas song for the elementary program. I am sure many kids hated this part of the Christmas season, but I actually enjoyed it very much. I've always enjoyed Christmas and one of my favorite things about this holiday are the wide variety of Christmas songs that accompany it. I've always listened and sang along to Christmas songs, so the Christmas program at school was my cup of tea. We'd all arrive at the school for a designated time and meet in our classrooms. We'd take our shoes off and walk around in our socks since the program was taking place in the gymnasium and they wanted to protect the floor. From Kindergarten to sixth grade, each class performed a Christmas song. It was always nerve wracking to be up on stage in front of a large audience, but something that made it comforting was being amongst all of your fellow classmates. It made singing that much easier. Probably some of my favorite songs that our class sang during the elementary programs were "Up on the Housetop," "All I Want for Christmas," and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas." I can't seem to recall any others, but it was definitely an enjoyable time and really got me into the Christmas spirit.

As I moved into junior high, there were no more Christmas programs to take part in. My seventh and eighth grades lacked any kind of "choral" performances for me. But once I moved into high school, I took part in my school's choir. I was kind of hesitant to join the choir at first because I didn't know if it would be something I enjoyed. In time, I learned to enjoy it. And with being in a choir, we got to take part in the high school Christmas program. We usually ended up singing two to three Christmas songs. Some of them were Christmas medlies, others were classic Christmas songs, and one year, we even sang a song along with the high school band! Now that was a cool experience. During the final day of school before Christmas break and during our high school choir class period, we would parade around the school singing Christmas carols in the hallways. At first I enjoyed this, but once I got to my senior year, a part of me didn't like this tradition anymore. We went to sing to the elementary kids but when it was time to head down to the high school wing of the school, a bunch of us bolted and made a run for it back to the music room. Our teacher didn't repremand us for doing so; so maybe she didn't notice (but I think she did). All in all, high school choir ended up being a very fun class for me, especially during the Christmas season!

Even for church, as part of our catechism classes in high school, we'd go out in the community and sing Christmas carols to elderly citizens in our area. We'd visit the elderly apartment building, assisted living homes, and elderly residences and sing them songs of the Christmas season. We even made one elderly woman weep because she was so happy we stopped by to sing. It really made you feel good to see these people so happy and greatful for a visit by us. And church was another time when you'd hear songs of the season and plenty of them! I don't go to church much anymore which is a pity. But the Christmas season was definitely my most favorite time of year to attend church because of the Christmas songs and the way the church was decorated so beautifully. I just might have to attend mass tomorrow night on Christmas Eve at my church for old times sake. It's been a long time; and what better way to attend than for the Christmas season.

A good way to enjoy the Christmas season is to listen to the wonderful sounds of this holiday. Put in a Christmas tape, CD, or even a record (if you still have them) and sing or at least whistle along. It's something I haven't done a whole lot this Christmas and I've realized I'd better do now before it's all over.