Blog: Choral & Current

Choir, friendship, and something like a star

Hi members and friends of Chor Leoni.
 
During our tour of Quebec and Ontario, I made a point of building a relationship with the driver of our chartered bus. I did this for several reasons: (a) I used to drive large trucks myself, many years ago; (b) I'm intrigued by the life-experiences of the people I meet; (c) I find that it's a prudent policy to establish good relations with the people upon whom you depend!
 
When we were eating dinner at the restaurant on the banks of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, I saw him sitting by himself, so I left my table and sat with him for awhile. Another singer came over as well. The driver started asking questions about the choir. It became apparent that he had noted the levels of friendship and trust among the members of the choir. It also became apparent that it was inconceivable to him that a group of people which gathered in order to make music could establish such a group spirit, for he asked how it was a possible that a group of friends could all sing and create a fine choir -- that is, he assumed that we were first friends and then a choir.
 
I explained to him that we were first and foremost a choir that sought to prepare and perform high quality music. Our friendships are an important and extraordinary component of our organization, but still secondary to the music. I'm not sure that he grasped what I was trying to convey.
 
Well, I suppose any of us can lose sight of our purpose and goal. And when we do, life can become miserable. I especially like one of the songs in our repertoire, a musical setting of Robert Frost's poem, "Choose Something Like a Star" (music composed by Randall Thompson, and arranged by Stephen Smith). Here are the last four lines:
 
     So when at times the mob is swayed
     To carry praise or blame too far,
     We may choose something like a star
     To stay our minds on and be stayed.
 
Friendship may seem like something far removed from the dynamics of a mob, but together with Frost a thoughtful observer can see just how quickly praise or blame can be carried too far by people who just want to be friends. Chor Leoni Men's Choir is about many things, including friendship, but I believe the choir is at its best when it seeks to prepare and perform music to the best of its ability.
 
Temporarily residing on the eastern bank of the South Saskatchewan River,
Cliff Reinhardt
Burnaby BC


Posted by Cliff Reinhardt on August 22, 2007 at 8:20 AM
Filed in: arcana; performances; tour diaries | Permanent Link

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