Whenever I hear well-performed choral music, I am transported to days when I performed with the Hope College Chapel Choir. Last night we heard the Geneva College choir performing a delightful combination of pieces. It brought back memories.
The comraderie among group members is delightful, since people making beautiful music together depend so completely upon each other’s concentration, dependability, and confidence in order to produce the best possible performance. Additionally, relationships develop and grow when group members are confined to buses, planes, etc. to get from venue to venue. Lots of time and shared experiences contribute to lasting and sometimes surprising memories.
Then there are the experiences of living with families at each of the locations visited. It’s surprising the diversity of experiences choir members can have, and the conversations which follow each night’s stay.
But the most beneficial part of tour is singing the Christian message night after night, and noticing the audiences’ reactions. They range from people trying to sing along to familiar pieces, especially old hymns and benedictory responses, but emotions range from smiles to tears. Music has a way of reaching people at their points of need and touching their very souls. So it was last night.
This group selected pieces and Bible passages from Ephesians, the book our small covenant group is presently studying. The complexities and beauties of these words blessed me as I heard them in various settings. And the wonderful “E’em So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” was a fitting conclusion until the choir circled the audience and sang “Beautiful Savior”. That’s when souls were truly touched.
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