Sometimes it's hard not to think about illness all the time. Lately I feel like I've been spending an awful lot of energy trying to keep up with symptoms and appointments (hospital again tomorrow - sigh), and nobody likes to feel like that's all they do. So in that spirit, I thought I'd write a few posts on some of the other important things in my life; things that have nothing to do with RA or my heart.
I decided to get involved with a more serious choir this year, and I went to my first rehearsal on Monday night. The choir has 110 voices and its own orchestra, and a really brilliant but no-nonsense director. It was all very new to me - I've only sung in small choirs before, and never with a full orchestra accompanying. It was great fun, but also a little scary. I had to stay completely focused or I'd have mucked something up, and the director always knows when you muck something up. (He doesn't single anyone out by name, but he does shout things like, "I hear one guy singing an A flat!" and everybody knows who the one guy is.)
We're performing two requiem masses on Good Friday - by Fauré and by Saint-Seans - in the main concert hall in my city. Here's a small, really lovely bit of the Fauré Requiem:
Isn't it gorgeous?
I've said this before, but one of the reasons I love singing so much is that it's a physical activity I can actually do. RA makes zero difference to my ability to sing, and this choir in particular seems to attest to that. I saw a number of singers with disabilities, all thoroughly enjoying themselves and able to participate at exactly the same level as everyone else. I also love that it requires all of my concentration, which means that even if my hips hurt, I can't stop to think about them. In a way it's like meditation, demanding that I remain fully in the moment. That's hard to do most of the time, but so much less difficult when you feel there are others depending on you not to slip up.
Oh, how exciting. I think rehearsals are going to be the highlight of my week!
6 comments:
Love the Fauré Requiem! Enjoy your concert and hope everything else goes well!
:) L
Jealous that the RA hasn't effected your voice. I used to sing in a choir, but now that the RA has hit the vocal cords I can't do more then a croaky squeaky note now. Enjoy singing, its a great outlet!
You are inspiring. I miss singing. Perhaps it's time to reclaim that bit of my life.
Good luck with your resolutions and your search for new treatment. New beginnings are exciting.
How gorgeous your choir is! I can understand how that must be extremely relaxing and fulfilling to be a part of.
I hope you are doing well. And, in other news, you've been memed:http://fromthispoint-forward.blogspot.com/2012/01/liebster-blog-award.html
~;o)
Thanks Mariah!! What a nice surprise. :)
Rebecca, I didn't know that RA could affect your vocal chords. How awful. I do have some issues with my lungs stemming from my first defibrillator implant surgery - they don't affect my voice but they do affect my breathing. I'm working on it but it's tough.
Laurie - yes, the Faure is lovely! I wasn't sure about the Saint Saens at first but I think I'm going to love it, too.
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