I guess I can talk about what's been happening in my own musical life.
For starters, I dreaded the day that I had to give a senior recital. An hours worth of music, all by myself. Second of all, I had no idea at the end of junior year what I wanted to be, or if I even wanted to sing anymore. Over the summer last year I broke my arm working at Asbury Hills. It was so frustrating, not because I broke my arm, but because I felt like I was missing my opportunities of reaching kids at camp. Being away from Asbury made me appreciated being there even more, and then returning and finding myself in roles I had not anticipated, I began to explore my own spiritual growth and mission. In the final weeks I was called on to lead singing. I had only had a few days training and had only been back enough to have 2 weeks of campers.
In the fall I decided I wanted to approach singing differently. I really learned over the summer, and in reflecting about my four years of experience in my church job, that I don't sing because I want to be a performer. I don't sing because I want to share interesting literature. Those are are just parts of what being a singer is to me. I've long believed that I experience my spirituality through music. And that my faith and my music are inextricable things. This lead me to choose an all sacred recital.
My recital ended up truly being a culmination of many different aspects of singing. Especially when it came to those that attended.
From camp there was Karl. He had been my closest co-counselor throughout the summer.
Both my voice students that I teach were there along with their families, Kelly and Sha.
Some of the girls from children's choir at church, the Dowlings, Shannon and Kara.
Also from church were Brennan, my boss, and Rev. Roy Cole.
Posts
