WHY I SING

This blog is a slightly edited version of an article I wrote fro the MCCS Board of Director's Newsletter, and I'd like to share it with you.

I recall my fear walking into my first rehearsal with the Magic City Choral Society Men's Chorus last August. I walked through those doors not knowing a single solitary soul in the choir and was battling a bit of my own internal homophobia. I sat next to Barrett that first night who told me to not be afraid, that this would become the highlight of my week. He was right. After the second week of rehearsal, I felt more comfortable. After a month, I knew that I was at home and had, as cliché as it may sound, I had a “family”.

I possess a Bachelor of Arts degree in vocal music, have played piano in churches off an on since I was in high school, and have been in choirs since I began college. However, in these last few months I’ve learned more about—and had more fun with—choral music than all those years of college combined. Our Conductor has a patience that few conductors possess. I believe it is that patience that makes the chorus such a success. Regardless of where we are on our journey as musicians, none of us is made to feel inferior or superior. Dr. Joseph meets us where we are. We are one in purpose, one in spirit and one as a chorus.

At my very core, I’m an introvert. However, within my first few weeks in the chorus, I had begun building some of the most amazing friendships I’ve ever experienced. My involvement with this group has absolutely changed my life in ways words will never fully express. The Chorus has allowed my path to cross with people I would have never otherwise had the opportunity to interact. I’m more outgoing, more alive and certainly more at peace with myself than ever before.

I sing with the Magic City Choral Society because it is one of the things of which I’m most proud in my life. Together we are not simply a group of mostly gay men singing together, we are a family. We are a brotherhood uniting our voices and our lives. We share laughter and tears together, we work together and play together. One of my proudest moments was performing with my “brothers” in our Christmas 2008 concert. Looking out in the audience and seeing friends who had come to support me made me swell with pride.

The Magic City Choral Society has had an impact on my life that is almost inexplicable. It constantly challenges me as a musician, inspires me as a person and gives me hope for bright future for our city, our state, and our nation. We have a vital role to play this community and I’m so proud to be a part of that today and look forward to being a part of it for many years to come.

Here’s my confession: This group is my world. I am proud to serve the group. It has absolutely changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. My life has ups and downs, but more often than not, when I’m with my brothers, I’m absolutely at home and all is right with the world.