At last night's community choir rehearsal, we were practicing "Fight the Good Fight" by John Gardner. This piece is set in a modern style. It has a lot of syncopations that can be difficult to get the entire choir to execute exactly together. At one point, we were struggling. So the conductor took to woodshedding. She explained how to make sure we cut off the previous note, take a breath, and sneak in before the beat on the next syllable.
She said, "You've got to cut your life short..." Then she realized what she said.
We all started laughing.
Many of the choir members are seniors, so that hit a sensitive nerve.
"Life" was the word on a short eighth note we were holding too long.
After a few more jokes like "Which one of us do you have in mind?" we were able to continue and finally collectively cut "life" short enough to suit her.
She said, "You've got to cut your life short..." Then she realized what she said.
We all started laughing.
Many of the choir members are seniors, so that hit a sensitive nerve.
"Life" was the word on a short eighth note we were holding too long.
After a few more jokes like "Which one of us do you have in mind?" we were able to continue and finally collectively cut "life" short enough to suit her.
A little levity in rehearsal can alleviate stress and make the seemingly endless review of the same thing over and over again enjoyable.
I have said it before and I'll say it again.
Rehearsals make me happy.
I have said it before and I'll say it again.
Rehearsals make me happy.
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