The Joyful Power of Choral Music

Master Chorus Eastside just finished a highly successful pair of concerts this last weekend (that’s why I didn’t blog last week, too much to do to get ready).  It’s amazing what happens to a group of people when they sing together, especially music that is challenging, demanding, and gorgeous.  There’s something about its stunning beauty and the communal nature of being in a choir—we begin thinking, responding, reacting as one organism, in a kind of effortless community—that is almost like a drug.  It feeds incredible joy into our souls, makes us downright giddy afterwards.  So I asked the MCE singers to share their thoughts and reactions for this blog.  And here is what they said.

Dr. Linda Gingrich

Artistic Director and Conductor

Master Chorus Eastside

For me, there were some moments in Lo, How a Rose, A Virgin Most Pure, O Magnum, Myn Lyking when the lyrics and notes seemed to come more from my subconscious.  I was able to take my eyes completely off the music, and just be in the moment of the music that was surrounding me.  I didn’t realize how much I had internalized those pieces!  What a lovely feeling that was.

Heather Kahan, soprano

The most memorable moment for me in this concert is the Gardner "Dancing Day".  I have sung it maybe a hundred times with several groups and it always makes me want to run out in the audience and happily squeeze everyone.  It's such a high lift that raises everyone up with its happy sounds, and I think we delivered that to our two audiences this past weekend.

Bob Ilgenfritz, tenor

I can’t tell you how much I enjoy the challenging music, the friendships I am making, and especially your conducting/interpretation of the music.  It was so gratifying to sing O Magnum Mysterium... I felt like I was on the set of “The Greatest Story Ever Told”, singing with heaven!

Janet Bechtel, alto

After this concert, I am prouder than ever to be a part of this unbelievably professional and talented group of musicians.  I felt that we were perfectly prepared and closely attuned to each other, and our tuning was better than I’ve ever heard from us.  There was more than one moment during the program when chills ran down my spine from the sound we were making as a choir.  It was a thrilling experience and a memorable program.

Marti Murphy, soprano

I loved all the music we did. I was so "high" after the concert I could not sleep. I especially liked the two "Dancing Day" numbers; and O Magnum Mysterium--- haunting. It has been a favorite of mine since my music sabbatical at the UW in 1980.  Two first-time attenders who are "family" to my wife and me were very impressed and loved it, have signed up for the MCE e-mail list.

John Vasko, bass

      You have heard of 'car singers'...in addition to being one, you could also call me a 'car drummer' and a 'carflutist'. I often drum or play my flute fingerings on my steering wheel while singing and listening to the radiomusic (only when it's safe)....that way I will never forget how to play even if I don't practice!

      Other than participating in a few drum circles in the past, and jingling a tambourine now and again, I have not had an opportunity to perform while playing a drum until our Renaissance Christmas shows last weekend. It was challenging and exhilarating to be a drummer girl!! By the second performance, I was more confident and felt myself smiling from the inside out as MCE's pianist Merry and I started off Tomorrow Shall Be my Dancing Day by John Gardner.

      Today I found this in my email box, from a fellow singer/percussionist friend:

"I have to tell you, your drumming was magnificent at the concert....

Arresting with authority and grace....chills.

It was so ancient. Just nailed us back into the spirit of that time.

It made me think, as I do not very often, that parts of us were alive during that time--through our ancestors, I mean....

(Though) the part was written in the music for you,

it seemed more fresh than that, as if you drumming spontaneously as the music struck you.
My mouth was open..."

      I think we all may have a bit of The Drummer in us.....and what a joy it is to express it! Try it on your steering wheel sometime....or join/start a drum circle. There is a DEEP satisfaction in the experience....

Lisa Knopp, alto

Joyful
Food is forgotten (monumental for dieting person )
Time passes more rapidly than usual (indication of Zen mental state )
Not fully aware of the fun I am having until the next day
A sense of non-alcoholic intoxication
Heightened level of good feelings
Direct transmission of sadness or gladness from song to soul
A thought that to live, laugh, or love without singing would be missing something major
A solid feeling of friendship with others in our chorus
A twin dose of warmth and well being, bought by active participation

Dan Reitz, bass