I am writing this while in isolation, down with Covid. Maybe my brain is fuzzy, but I am particularly optimistic right now.
Our choir sang last week without a conductor, and they sounded great! I cannot tell you how wonderful this feels. They were ready, but who knew that they would need to step up and be proactive to make it happen? I am so proud of them and so affirmed that they heard the messages we worked on at rehearsals.. If sometimes our goal is to “not be needed”, this is one of those moments. I am basking in the glow of this. I am grateful to all choir members who sang and to those who did not sing because they were ill that day. Also, I am grateful to Guy, who led from behind, literally, giving the support needed.
The choir will sing at the Earth Day service, (April 21st) a piece that we would have sung on Easter Sunday, called “Bloom”. It is equally applicable for Earth Day as it was to be on Easter. We will sing another piece that day as well.
I hope our congregation members stay well as we all look forward to Spring!
See you in church.
Charlyn Bethell
Charlyn’s professional training has followed two paths: as a professional oboist and as a music teacher and conductor. As Music Director at First Parish, she joins these two paths of her musical life, conducting the choir, coordinating guest musicians, and performing on oboe.