I tend not to be nervous on Sunday mornings. I figure what’s going to happen will happen. Wendesday evenings are another matter, as I worry about getting everything ready. Even with this being my first Sunday as choir director at Fourth Presbyterian, I wasn’t too nervous. Excited, yes, but not nervous. This, despite nightmares this week of either the choir or the organist rebelling and the service going horribly awry.
The first service started off with only two of my four small ensemble members showing up. I filled in at bass, and Sam sang tenor. Still, everything went smoothly. The attendance was very small since most would be at the later service for the BBQ lunch.
As it got closer to time for the later service, it seemed like the choir was not gathering soon enough to go through the anthem. Several choir members are in the Session, and if there is a meeting, they are often late. We managed to make it through a quick rehearsal, and the choir sounded very nice.
During the service itself, the choir did great, but I had problems. During the first hymn the organist decided to play it a step higher. It was just enough for me to lose my voice for the rest of the service. Great – show extraordinary discipline at the game to keep from screaming and save my voice, and I’m done in by a simple high E. Oh well.