A Special Evening

I was very lucky to get a chance to witness a very special thing the other day.

Every two years, the CBC hosts a national choral competition for amateur choirs across the country. There are a variety of catagories for children's choirs, youth choirs, adult choirs, equal voices (male and female), mixed voices, chamber choirs etc. It's always a very interesting and exciting event. While I was not singing in any participating choirs, a number of WH's colleagues (and our friends) had choirs that made the final round of competition.

One such choir, a women's choir, is conducted by a woman, M, who has a very long and accomplished resume of musical accomplishments in this city. She has been an educator and a clinician and an adjudicator, and of course, a conductor. In the process, she has raised two beautiful daughters who are very fine singers, and M is now enjoying two grandsons as well. The whole family is very dear to us.

In her retirement, M has continued to conduct her women's choir. They have competed in the choral competition many times, and have placed 2nd many times. They were performing on Tuesday night in the final round, so WH and I went to listen to their broadcast. They sang very very well. The results came in, and M and her choir were finally able to celebrate a first place prize. There were many, many tears of joy for a family that has waited a long time, and worked very hard to be recognized in this way. It was such a special occasion, and a real pleasure to be a part of.

In rejoicing for them, I was able to reflect once again how happy I am to be a part of the choral community, and to know so many wonderful people as a result.