We just wrapped up our two busiest weeks of the year. I'm exhausted, but exhilarated at the same time.
I've been singing all my life, and both Aaron and I grew up in musical households. We met in college singing in the Wittenberg Choir, we've sung in church choirs our whole marriage, and in January of 1992 we auditioned for the Columbus Symphony Chorus. Singing with that group led us to First Community Church, where we both are now members of the Chancel Choir and the Chamber Singers.
So, on Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend we began our back-to-back "hell weeks," culminating in the symphony's Holiday Pops concerts one week and then the church Christmas concert the second week. Here's how the schedule looked:
Sunday 11/25 - two church services, then Chamber Singers rehearsal
Tuesday 11/27 - Symphony Chorus rehearsal
Wednesday 11/28 - Symphony Chorus rehearsal with orchestra
Thursday 11/29 - Full run-through with orchestra
Friday 11/30 - Holiday Pops concert
Saturday 12/1 - Holiday Pops concert (preceded by our annual Fancy Dinner with chorus friends)
Sunday 12/2 - Holiday Pops concert
Monday 12/3 - I had a quick run through of a solo for the church concert
Tuesday 12/4 - Chamber Singers rehearsal
Wednesday 12/5 - nothing!
Thursday 12/6 - Chancel Choir rehearsal
Saturday 12/8 - Chamber Singers rehearsal with orchestra at 9:30 a.m., followed by Chancel Choir rehearsal, which went until about 12:30.
Sunday 12/9 - one church service; concert at 5:00
Oh, and we work full time, too.
Now, there have been years in which we've had even MORE going on, like the year we sang the entire Messiah with the symphony the weekend before Thanksgiving. And there were the years in which we had FIVE Holiday Pops concerts in three days. And there are people we sing with who have even more going on than we do, and/or they have children to take care of.
But in the end, we love it. We are fortunate to be able to sing some exquisite and exciting music and we get to do that together.
It's what we do.
Stay tuned,
The Gila
I am amazed at this schedule every year.
ReplyDeleteThis is what you do when you have a passion for something. "Exhausting but exhilarating" is a great description.
ReplyDelete