Blog: Choral & Current

Recalling the Beginning

Thanks Keith. Well, I guess it’s my turn. I nearly had a “senior’s moment” there and forgot. Just kidding.

I’ve been a member of Chor Leoni pretty much since it’s inception 17 years ago. I remember Diane coming up to me and saying “How’d you like to audition for a new men’s choir?” Being a fool and already knowing I’d do anything for this lady, I said “Sure!” Little did I know she was opening the door to a whole new level of musicianship and life-long learning.

At that time, CL was much smaller. We were not much more than 25 singers and doing 2-3 concerts a year. It seemed like we were more of a ragtag lot then. Tuxes cobbled together. Diane making all the arrangements for rehearsal space, concerts, music as well as doing the conducting. We routinely had rehearsals around the piano in the Loomer’s living room with Diane’s little dog, Vace, snuffling around at our feet. We’d stop for at a civilized hour for some bread and cheese and maybe some of Dick’s beer, hauled up from the basement. Life was quieter then. Things moved at a slower pace. We hadn’t even heard of aeroplanes yet…. kidding.

I KNOW that Diane had plans for us way back then. Big plans. The addition of each new chorister upped the bar and ever-higher standards of excellence developed. When I got into the choir, all you had to do was “look good”. And sing. Okay, sing lots. We’d try things out. If we struggled, Diane never threw out the music or the idea, but simply filed it away for future reference.

We tried out a Remembrance Concert the year I joined and got a good turnout. I was stunned at all the people I saw openly weeping in the audience. I had to bite my lip to stay focused and continue on. Remembrance Day became a choral fixture. I also learned the most important lesson of this entire experience. We mean something when we sing. The audience feels it and, believe me, we feel it back from them. We NEVER sing alone.

Pretty soon we were invited to put on ONE show at the Bard on the Beach tent. Half singing and half readings. No band, no costumes and NO dancing. Somehow it lacked the, how shall I say it, the pizzazz! of the Bard shows of today. But interestingly, we were invited back and if we didn’t mind, maybe we could put on two shows? With the addition of younger and younger guys things went from “sedate” to “insane” in no time. Maybe it’s me getting older but the new guys who come through our doors seem to be bringing ever more talent and amazing skills. They sing, they play instruments, they dance, they do it all! And they’re just plain fun! As Dick Loomer said at the end of our last Bard concert, “If you want to know how to stay “Forever Young”, join this choir!” He’s so right.

Look at us now. Prizes by the armful, CD’s by the dozen, concerts by the score (pardon the pun). Young and old. we all played a part in that legacy. My advice to the newcomers? Keep your tux clean, kid, and your head out of your score and in no time you too will be one of the “old boys”.

Mark Macdonald, first tenor (and wine server at our recent At Home with Chor Leoni)

Posted by Mark Macdonald, first tenor on September 29, 2009 at 8:41 AM
Filed in: inside Chor Leoni; performances | Permanent Link