In Choir

Last night was my last choir rehearsal at the First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church (on neither first, nor franklin streets, by the way).  This was the start of my third season singing with them, and a terrible time to leave.  Sunday the 19th will be my last Sunday with the choir, just one week before the re-opening extravaganza of the newly refurbished sanctuary on the 26th.

I’ve made a lot of friends in the choir over the past few years, and I still don’t think it’s hit me that I won’t be seeing them every week.  They gave me a lovely send off, with snacks, haikus about me, and a tee shirt with my folder number on it.  Of course, as my folder number seems to change every time I go to rehearsal, one can never be sure.  This is a choir with a sense of humor.

Oh, how I will remember them all fondly!  There’s Donald Juedes, whose name is an anagram for “Old Dude Jeans,” which is appropriate because that’s what he wears to church every Sunday.  In fact, we recently had to make a no-jeans policy, although I can’t say for sure that he was the reason (but I THINK he was).

And then the choir lady, Liz McFarlane, who makes snacks for people, always keeps us in line at rehearsals, and has tattoos in places that I am not allowed to see.  She also was my first follower on this blog, so I’d better not say anymore about her…..

I would like to say something about our bass section leader, John McLucas, but as he is generally in Italy instead of at rehearsal, I don’t know that much about him.

I could go on forever.  Caitlin Vincent always shows up a few minutes late, despite living literally across the street from the church.  We have our bearded wonder, Jim Harvey, who is clearly bi-sectional, switching between bass and tenor every other anthem.  And Bill McCullough is a whole section unto himself!  I am also quite fond of our alto section leader, soprano Emilie Hodgin, although I don’t think her sister likes me.

I’m kind of out of time and space, but there really is no other way to describe how quirky and wonderful these people are, and how much I’m going to miss them.  As I write this, I am realizing how many of these blog entries have been about endings.  I hope that soon, there will be just as many about beginnings.