Mama sang in the choir at Rome First United Methodist Church for many years. She said of all the groups to which she belonged, choir was her favorite. That’s how I feel. My favorite time of the week is choir practice. Dr. Sam Simon is the Minister of Music and Youth at Riverside Baptist Church. We call him “Sam.” Every Sunday afternoon, he directs us in choir rehearsal. He does an exceptional job. Sam, we appreciate you so much!
Every week Dr. Simon gives us a special newsletter which begins with “From the Director.” Those are interesting messages relevant to music. Two weeks ago, the narrative was about the concept of the collaborative pianist. Dr. Simon wrote about music critic and columnist Richard Morrison. Last week Dr. Simon quoted Morrison, “…empathy, responsiveness, psychological acumen, and confidence are vital not only in order to make music with others, but to lead to a deeper level of mutual understanding in many contexts.” See? An interesting message relevant to music. The newsletter includes “Rehearsal Norms”, “Weekly Schedule”, “Tonight’s Rehearsal Agenda”, and “Upcoming Schedule.” Very appropriately, it closes with, “Pax vobiscum.” Latin for “Peace Be With You.”
So, there I was. Choir practice Sunday afternoon. We rehearsed “America, The Land I Love.” We will, of course, sing that in observance of Independence Day. We sang, “…America, America, my home, this land where I breathe free, to live and love, to dream and grow in blessed liberty.” I immediately thought of my brother, the late Steve Terrell. He was my hero. He enlisted in the U.S. Army July 27, 1967. Steve had a career in the U.S. Army for over twenty years. Every year, July 27th, Steve would remember the day he enlisted in the U.S. Army because that was Daddy’s birthday. Steve passed away last year. Patriotic songs always remind me of him and I always cry.
We also practiced “How Can I Keep From Singing?” It begins, “My life flows on in endless song; above the earth’s lamentation. I catch the sweet though far off hymn, that hails a new creation.” That is just how I feel about my life. It flows along in endless song. Different stages of life are like verses in a song. As for the earth, “the earth’s lamentations” is an effective way to think of the world these days. So much grief and sorrow.
“How Can I Keep From Singing?” is a song which encourages. “No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? I find this song very reassuring. “Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth…” Indeed. How can I keep from singing?
The song continues, “Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing. It finds an echo in my soul.” I have always been a happy person. I cannot be anything but happy if I am singing. That is why I thoroughly enjoy singing in the choir. At choir rehearsal, every Sunday afternoon, we laugh and have fun, rehearsing that wonderful music. Sam, thanks very much for your leadership of the choir at Riverside Baptist! Yep. My favorite time of the week. Choir practice.