Blog: Choral & Current

Portrait of a Singer As a (Somewhat) Young Man

Let me start by saying that I was at one time the youngest member of CL. I am now 24, and...well...not the youngest member. You may have noticed the fresh faces that have been joining the choir in the last few years. CL has some awesome young talent to complement the experience and wisdom of the ‘Geritones’.

As you faithful readers are aware, we have a PROMYS program that brings high school-aged guys into the choir. We have had the pleasure this year of accepting fourteen fantastic young men into our intensive fall program that involves singing some of the music in the Remembrance concerts. I am actually worried that the Metropolitan Opera might snatch a couple of them before we get to perform with them on November 11th. We have a couple returns from previous PROMYS events, and even a brother of a current CL member. I only wonder if I was nearly as talented, fun, and polite at their age. Mum, don’t answer that one.

Helping to organize this program is a great honour...most of the time. It has also put me in the position of potentially being referred to by this wonderful bunch as the well meaning, but dreaded Mister Cripps. Until now, I have avoided this, partly by having an older brother (Russell, also in the choir) who is a teacher. I figure he has double the right to be given this title. Even worse is being asked how many children I have of my own by the six year olds in the brilliant Zing! Children’s Choir; but I digress.

I would simply like to thank our city’s music educators for laying the foundation for these young men to flourish, to the young men for your dedication and musicality, and to Diane and the men of CL for your willingness to mentor and spread the ‘gospel’ of male singing.

Spencer Cripps, Baritone

ps. Who knew that the fear of ageing is called ‘gerascophobia’? Not that I have it or anything…

(Ed: We'd like to point out that the author remains one of the fresher-faced members of the ensemble, despite his stated concerns.)

Posted by Spencer Cripps, baritone on October 28, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Filed in: inside Chor Leoni; PROMYS | Permanent Link