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Joining a Choir - A How To Guide, Part I
This is a guest post by Lawrence Abernathy. If you would like to submit an article for inclusion within the KillingClassicalMusic community, you are welcome to do so here.
So for the new year you’ve decided to do something different. Something to get away from the reality of work, school – whatever it is you’re escaping – to meet knew people and find a new passion. Maybe you could join a gym and try the latest trendy dance workout. Possibly there is a new book club or poetry reading hour at the local book store; or maybe, just MAYBE, you could join a choir. You know, one of those glee club things that meet once a week and perform some of the greatest music ever composed.
I sense some trepidation from a few folks reading this – it’s almost palpable, even through a computer screen. But, not to worry! This guide is going to show you a step by step guide on how to join a choir, and what you should expect before joining, during the rehearsal schedule and after the performance. With this article I hope to provide at least a look into the realm of choraldom and hopefully show a few people that yes, you can do this and you’ll have a great time doing it.
The first question that you need to ask yourself is: What is my favorite type of music?
The Power of Singing Together
Researchers have found that singing together has many benefits beyond the joy of music making. This should come as no surprise to anyone who has sung in a choir. Still though, it’s worth reflecting on the benefits of corporate music making, and singing in particular.
Unconventional Classical Music Stories
Last week, I was checking around on Twitter for people involved with or interested in choirs* when I ran across @PaganMomBlog. We got talking a bit and she made the comment that when she says “choir,” many people tend to assume she’s talking about a Christian church group. As you might be able to tell by her Twitter handle, she’s not. It can be really quite frustrating when certain terms are inappropriately pigeonholed in such an exclusive manner. Just think of all the great music and singing we would miss if choirs were only Christian, church, or anything else.
The primary reason why this is so problematic is that it seems to automatically exclude people who should not be excluded.
