I always sang melody. Because it's all about me and not about the music, not about the choir. Now in my middle years the melody has drifted away somewhere – out of reach of my grasping fingers. I'm trying to sing alto, fumbling for that counter note - the one that's not there in my head.
My first choir practice I try to hear that note under the insistence that is melody. I'm listening, catching it some of the time. And then, I was a teenager sitting on that second row in the choir at Brookford Baptist Church. In my ear I could hear Mrs. Holsclaw (who always wanted us to make a big deal of the "s" sound at the ends of words). And there was my grandmother – as natural an alto as you ever heard. She gave that gift to my aunt Emily, who shares it with my Dad at the nursing home on Sundays. I heard them all right there and for a while the noise I made was actually music. I found that note and the sound was so sweet that it almost made me cry.
Mamaw & Emily
There is something deep in us that music can get too. A number of voices, singing as one, is a stirring and powerful thing. Glad you found your music and really liked the way you shared it with us.
ReplyDeleteGosh, this brings back memories! I sang in a Baptist choir for years and years...and fumbled with that
ReplyDelete2nd alto line, as well.
It can be hard to support the melody singing other parts. I've been told that I'm a natural soprano but I find the alto range more comfortable and consistent. I'm not good at reading music for singing (I can read it to plunk out notes on the piano) so I tend to learn the part by listening, as it seems you do too. I have learned along the way to forgive myself when my voice fumbles, because as you note, making a joyful noise is part of the deal.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are really enjoying the choir. I have never tried anything like that.
ReplyDeleteMusic is such a memory-keeper for me, too. I loved how my voice would seem to blend so beautifully with my mother's while singing hymns at church.
ReplyDeletei LOVE to sing -- i used to be a lot better than i am now, but i still sing along to everything!
ReplyDeleteI was always a soprano and now I just love trying to pick out the alto part, it is something that really challenges me.
ReplyDeleteSinging really affects the soul.
Amy
So happy for you. I can't imagine singing in public, and I'm sure others are grateful for that, but I sing my heart out in my own house. Just like beautiful flowers, singing fills the soul.
ReplyDeleteBella
Love the pic of Maw maw and Emily.
ReplyDeleteAnd me? I love singing harmony, hiding underneath the melody. Oh yeah.
I am envious. My voice is too low for soprano and I am definitely alto-challenged. But I do have an ear for great harmony when I hear it.
ReplyDeleteI can't sing or carry a tune for the life of me; but I can remember being assigned to the choir at school because they needed more boys.
ReplyDeleteAfter a while the choir teacher suggested I stop trying to sing and just mouth the words.
Oh, and take my bow on stage at the end with the rest of them.
I used to sing in the choir in the Anglican Church, and I loved it. I loved choir practice too. I still remember singing "Once in Royal David's City" during midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're enjoying your music!
Jo - we used Once in Royal David's City as the bride's processional in our wedding (we were married in December). Lovely!
ReplyDeleteMusic really is that thing that gets deep beneth our skin and never leaves us.
ReplyDelete