So I never got around to filling everyone in on how Chicago was. Let me sum up: pretty sweet, but pretty cold at the same time. My friend Derick and I went the first day to the Art Institute and walked about the museum for about 2 hours. It was a lot of art. Then that night the group went to see Wicked. It was really, really good, but with all the hype it's gotten I kind of expected it to be really, really, really good. I wasn't disappointed at all, I just wasn't blown away as much as I thought I would be. That was pretty much my experience in Chicago. The rest of tour went really well, and I could definitely tell by the end that we had all grown closer together. Someone asked me this week if there was any drama or any bickering throughout the tour and I couldn't think of a single thing that happened. It was all just a really good experience.
But, the only thing I felt cheated on was my ability to have at least a day or two to completely relax which made this week sort of hectic. First of all, I was completely worn out by tour, and added on to that I had a couple major things due this past week. I ended up living out of my suitcase the whole week because I didn't feel like/couldn't find the time to do laundry. Then there was a streak of about three days where I hadn't showered because I hadn't had time to do anything active. In the end, it was a rough week for me and everyone who had to be around me for extended periods of time. But, I got the paper done at 2:30 Thursday morning, and the rest of the week was smooth sailing through the weekend. My roommate and I did some major laundry, cleaning, organizing of the room and I was finally able to feel like my life wasn't a mess by Saturday afternoon.
The weekend was probably one of the best I've had in awhile. I don't have anything major coming up this week, so I got to hang out with some great friends and not have the threat of papers looming over me. Friday night we had Live Band Karaoke on campus. I don't do Karaoke, but it was a lot of fun to watch everyone else. Then Saturday night a bunch of us went to see the new Dr. Seuss movie. I haven't laughed that hard at a movie in a long time. It had everything I'd ever want in 2 hours of cinema. I even found myself almost wanted to cry at the end even though it was a movie about a talking elephant. If you get nothing else from this post, then hear this: you should go see "Horton Hears a Who".
We had our Camerata home concert this afternoon. Beforehand all the seniors went around and got a chance to talk about what being in Camerata meant to them. I had never really thought about how much Camerata means to people. But when I think about it, next year when I'm in the senior position I will probably be the one nearly in tears trying to articulate how honored I felt to be part of such a great group. The concert went well. My parents and my grandma came down and it was good to be able to sing for people I knew and show them what I did with my spring break. If not that, then it was good to get my mom's Rice Krispie Squares she made for me. Any chance to get home cooking is always a great time when you're in college.
That's all for now. Peace.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
More tour updates...
I almost forgot to post these last couple entries. I'm sure you're anxious to hear about Pittsburgh:
Wednesday March 5, 2008
We sang at my church in Pittsburgh today. I was sort of nervous at first just because I felt weird bringing 40 people through the church on a Wednesday afternoon and I figured that most of the other members of the choir would be uninterested in seeing the church. But, when we got there there was this great moment where I was trying to herd everyone into the sanctuary and at first they just stood in the doorway in awe of how beautiful it was. I assured them that it was ok to go in, and they all seemed like they were at least mildly interested in seeing the stained glass, or the famous organ, or the soaring architecture. We only had time to sing two songs, but it was just for the 4 or 5 staff members who were around. I think they were really impressed. It was cool to be able to show them a whole other side of me that I didn’t really get to express while I was there. This was the last trip I have planned out already to be back in Pittsburgh. Every time it is harder to leave, but I keep finding my way back somehow.
The rest of Pittsburgh was pretty cool just because I got to tell other people a little bit more about what my last semester was like. I didn’t really understand what it was about until I got there, so I think the tour of the Pittsburgh Project and the city really helped give people a better idea of what I did.
I almost forgot to talk about the concert we did in Scottdale, PA. It was my first concert being completely out of my music. I think that because of that, I was able to worship even more freely. That coupled with the fact that we are getting really good as a choir really provided for some great moments. There was one in particular where we finished a song and I could feel everyone in the room holding their breath for a good 8 seconds. And then another where we finished a song and there was a barely audible “wow” from the back row. It’s moments like those that really make the trip what it was meant to be.
Thursday March 6, 2008
Another long day. This was one of the two days on tour where we had three concerts. Added onto that, we had to be on the bus at 6 in the morning. I don’t usually find it that easy to sleep on the bus, but at 6 in the morning I think I could’ve slept anywhere. I actually curled up in my two seats as comfortably as I could manage. I fell asleep in Wooster, OH and woke up around VanWert.
Our first concert was at a Christian School in Goshen, IN. I really like singing for high school kids because there is such a wide spectrum of reactions. There are the kids who look completely bored, then at the other end of the spectrum are the music kids who either look completely awed or like they think they could do a better job. I also think I like singing for this age just because it’s not something they’re used to. I have definitely gained an appreciation for “higher” forms of music by being in this group, and I think it is neat to think that maybe some of the kids might get at least a little bit of that same appreciation in the half hour we’re there.
The second place we sang was the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. The only real notable thing about the performance was the fact that the chapel where we sang was really live acoustically. After that we drove back to a church in Goshen. The other great part of tour is getting to try all the different church meals. This church ranks up there with a great soup dinner. I think it was just what I needed after too much junk food, and pizza, and greasy fast food. Before the concerts we always have devotions led by choir members, and I led last nights devotion. I told a story about an experience I had with a child who had ADHD and how a lot of times we were just like this boy. At least for me, it seems like sometimes I have a hundred things going on inside my mind, but God just wants us to “be still and know that [He] is God” (Ps. 46:10). When I looked it up, I found that the Hebrew word for “be still” can also be translated as “become weak” or “let go”. God wants us to “become weak” and “let go” of the things of the world that we hold on to so tightly and worry about so much. I thought it went well. At least it helped me to focus on the music and worship rather than on what the audience might be thinking.
Tomorrow’s Chicago. It is my first trip to the windy city and I’m pretty excited. Woot!
Wednesday March 5, 2008
We sang at my church in Pittsburgh today. I was sort of nervous at first just because I felt weird bringing 40 people through the church on a Wednesday afternoon and I figured that most of the other members of the choir would be uninterested in seeing the church. But, when we got there there was this great moment where I was trying to herd everyone into the sanctuary and at first they just stood in the doorway in awe of how beautiful it was. I assured them that it was ok to go in, and they all seemed like they were at least mildly interested in seeing the stained glass, or the famous organ, or the soaring architecture. We only had time to sing two songs, but it was just for the 4 or 5 staff members who were around. I think they were really impressed. It was cool to be able to show them a whole other side of me that I didn’t really get to express while I was there. This was the last trip I have planned out already to be back in Pittsburgh. Every time it is harder to leave, but I keep finding my way back somehow.
The rest of Pittsburgh was pretty cool just because I got to tell other people a little bit more about what my last semester was like. I didn’t really understand what it was about until I got there, so I think the tour of the Pittsburgh Project and the city really helped give people a better idea of what I did.
I almost forgot to talk about the concert we did in Scottdale, PA. It was my first concert being completely out of my music. I think that because of that, I was able to worship even more freely. That coupled with the fact that we are getting really good as a choir really provided for some great moments. There was one in particular where we finished a song and I could feel everyone in the room holding their breath for a good 8 seconds. And then another where we finished a song and there was a barely audible “wow” from the back row. It’s moments like those that really make the trip what it was meant to be.
Thursday March 6, 2008
Another long day. This was one of the two days on tour where we had three concerts. Added onto that, we had to be on the bus at 6 in the morning. I don’t usually find it that easy to sleep on the bus, but at 6 in the morning I think I could’ve slept anywhere. I actually curled up in my two seats as comfortably as I could manage. I fell asleep in Wooster, OH and woke up around VanWert.
Our first concert was at a Christian School in Goshen, IN. I really like singing for high school kids because there is such a wide spectrum of reactions. There are the kids who look completely bored, then at the other end of the spectrum are the music kids who either look completely awed or like they think they could do a better job. I also think I like singing for this age just because it’s not something they’re used to. I have definitely gained an appreciation for “higher” forms of music by being in this group, and I think it is neat to think that maybe some of the kids might get at least a little bit of that same appreciation in the half hour we’re there.
The second place we sang was the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. The only real notable thing about the performance was the fact that the chapel where we sang was really live acoustically. After that we drove back to a church in Goshen. The other great part of tour is getting to try all the different church meals. This church ranks up there with a great soup dinner. I think it was just what I needed after too much junk food, and pizza, and greasy fast food. Before the concerts we always have devotions led by choir members, and I led last nights devotion. I told a story about an experience I had with a child who had ADHD and how a lot of times we were just like this boy. At least for me, it seems like sometimes I have a hundred things going on inside my mind, but God just wants us to “be still and know that [He] is God” (Ps. 46:10). When I looked it up, I found that the Hebrew word for “be still” can also be translated as “become weak” or “let go”. God wants us to “become weak” and “let go” of the things of the world that we hold on to so tightly and worry about so much. I thought it went well. At least it helped me to focus on the music and worship rather than on what the audience might be thinking.
Tomorrow’s Chicago. It is my first trip to the windy city and I’m pretty excited. Woot!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Tour
I finally found some WiFi connection, so here are a few updates I wrote so far:
Sunday March 2, 2008
We set off for Pennsylvania, Chicago and everything in between yesterday. The trip started off looking like it might be crazy when the bus was 20 minutes late, but apparently he just got stuck behind a train somewhere. But we got on and all settled in. I was surprised to find that I had a set of seats to myself. I guess in my head I was picturing hours on end in a bus with little to no space crammed up against the window while one of my choir mates drooled through a nap on my shoulder. Not the case. Besides the fact that it is a bus, I’m pretty much living in luxury. I started out in the back of the bus, but decided that the back-of-the-bus crew was a little much for me who just wanted to do a lot of reading throughout the trip. But, by the end of the day I had found some empty seats up toward the front where it is a little more docile.
Enough about the stupid bus. We didn’t sing the first day. We drove for about 2 to 3 hours and arrived in Millersburg. All we did there was get hooked up with our host families and head off for the night. I ended up staying with my roommate Derick at the house of someone who actually goes to Bluffton. They fed us brownies and ice cream and we sat around and talked for awhile. Like I said before I love awkward host family conversation. It’s not always awkward, but it is always the same thing. I think it’s just nice to have people so interested in me…even if they are just trying to fill the silence.
I would say our first concert went really well. We didn’t do the whole program because it was part of a church service, but we did a good portion. It is hard for me because I have only really been with the music for half a semester whereas everyone else has almost everything memorized. The director says we can take our music up with us if we need it, but there was one time when I looked up and realized I was the only one with my folder. From now on, I will probably just fake when I don’t know as best I can.
We did another concert at the end of the day. This was our first full concert. Once again I thought it went well, but a lot of times I apparently can’t tell when we’re doing poorly. If nothing else, I’m having fun. I actually really enjoy doing these concerts. It’s kind of a rush. But then again, it is still early in the week.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
We’re at our first mall. When people talk about tours in the past, they always joke about how we always find ourselves with free time so we end up going to a mall to waste time. This is that time. We’re actually in Pittsburgh right now, which is semi-exciting simply because I kind of know where we are and can tell people fun facts. I think I was actually at this mall at one point last semester. Yesterday was a really busy day. We did three programs total, but only one of them was the full concert. We sang at a Christian School, a Retirement Home, and then a Church in the evening. My first though was “Retirement home? How lame.” But it turned out that they were our most appreciative audience. The were a far cry from the Christian School kids who were forced to come listen to us. To be fair, they were pretty attentive, but the elderly audience had such joy in their faces while we sang.
By the time the evening concert came around I could already tell that we were really starting to get better as a choir. They always talk about how by the end of tour the choir sounds really good. Dr. Suderman was saying before we left that he was really excited about where we were then and where he thought we could be by the end of tour. Now that I’m getting better at having the music memorized I am starting to actually get into the meaning of the songs. One of my favorite songs we sing is in a Latin chant style and the translation says something like “Where love and charity are, God is. There is such immense joy, forever and for all time. Alleluia, God is here.” One of the things I really appreciate about Camerata is the fact that we do try to create worship with our music and portray the meaning and depth behind the songs. There are some moments in our program that are absolutely beautiful every single time we sing them. There are others that are truly powerful. And then there are even others that are just fun. I felt like such a dork when I said before that I really enjoy doing these concerts, but each one is a great worshipful experience.
We sing tomorrow briefly at the church where I interned last semester. I’m excited to see everyone again, even if it is for a short amount of time. Plus, I never really got to show them the “choir” side of my personality. Well, half and hour left in the mall. I’ll probably just read the book I bought so I don’t do any more damage to my wallet.
Hopefully more to come...
Sunday March 2, 2008
We set off for Pennsylvania, Chicago and everything in between yesterday. The trip started off looking like it might be crazy when the bus was 20 minutes late, but apparently he just got stuck behind a train somewhere. But we got on and all settled in. I was surprised to find that I had a set of seats to myself. I guess in my head I was picturing hours on end in a bus with little to no space crammed up against the window while one of my choir mates drooled through a nap on my shoulder. Not the case. Besides the fact that it is a bus, I’m pretty much living in luxury. I started out in the back of the bus, but decided that the back-of-the-bus crew was a little much for me who just wanted to do a lot of reading throughout the trip. But, by the end of the day I had found some empty seats up toward the front where it is a little more docile.
Enough about the stupid bus. We didn’t sing the first day. We drove for about 2 to 3 hours and arrived in Millersburg. All we did there was get hooked up with our host families and head off for the night. I ended up staying with my roommate Derick at the house of someone who actually goes to Bluffton. They fed us brownies and ice cream and we sat around and talked for awhile. Like I said before I love awkward host family conversation. It’s not always awkward, but it is always the same thing. I think it’s just nice to have people so interested in me…even if they are just trying to fill the silence.
I would say our first concert went really well. We didn’t do the whole program because it was part of a church service, but we did a good portion. It is hard for me because I have only really been with the music for half a semester whereas everyone else has almost everything memorized. The director says we can take our music up with us if we need it, but there was one time when I looked up and realized I was the only one with my folder. From now on, I will probably just fake when I don’t know as best I can.
We did another concert at the end of the day. This was our first full concert. Once again I thought it went well, but a lot of times I apparently can’t tell when we’re doing poorly. If nothing else, I’m having fun. I actually really enjoy doing these concerts. It’s kind of a rush. But then again, it is still early in the week.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
We’re at our first mall. When people talk about tours in the past, they always joke about how we always find ourselves with free time so we end up going to a mall to waste time. This is that time. We’re actually in Pittsburgh right now, which is semi-exciting simply because I kind of know where we are and can tell people fun facts. I think I was actually at this mall at one point last semester. Yesterday was a really busy day. We did three programs total, but only one of them was the full concert. We sang at a Christian School, a Retirement Home, and then a Church in the evening. My first though was “Retirement home? How lame.” But it turned out that they were our most appreciative audience. The were a far cry from the Christian School kids who were forced to come listen to us. To be fair, they were pretty attentive, but the elderly audience had such joy in their faces while we sang.
By the time the evening concert came around I could already tell that we were really starting to get better as a choir. They always talk about how by the end of tour the choir sounds really good. Dr. Suderman was saying before we left that he was really excited about where we were then and where he thought we could be by the end of tour. Now that I’m getting better at having the music memorized I am starting to actually get into the meaning of the songs. One of my favorite songs we sing is in a Latin chant style and the translation says something like “Where love and charity are, God is. There is such immense joy, forever and for all time. Alleluia, God is here.” One of the things I really appreciate about Camerata is the fact that we do try to create worship with our music and portray the meaning and depth behind the songs. There are some moments in our program that are absolutely beautiful every single time we sing them. There are others that are truly powerful. And then there are even others that are just fun. I felt like such a dork when I said before that I really enjoy doing these concerts, but each one is a great worshipful experience.
We sing tomorrow briefly at the church where I interned last semester. I’m excited to see everyone again, even if it is for a short amount of time. Plus, I never really got to show them the “choir” side of my personality. Well, half and hour left in the mall. I’ll probably just read the book I bought so I don’t do any more damage to my wallet.
Hopefully more to come...
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