September 26th 2010 was the 100th anniversary of my church's existence! Wow!We had to sing a huge mass in church and there were some pretty high ranking church officials present.. we had two bishops! If you're catholic than this is a big deal okay!
Any who, my old people choir had been practicing for weeks to sing all the mass parts in Latin, and do some Greek parts as well, on top of the already lung challenging 2 and 3 part fancy songs in Italian that we would sing for the mass. Practices weren't entirely terrible but trust me, we were no where near ready and ne'er would be.
As they say, you can't teach an old dog new tricks...well you can't teach elderly "singers" old parts that to their memories and breathing capacities are like New songs or just as challenging as learning new songs.
Nonetheless my sisters and I barreled our way through each practice and ultimately we reached Today. September 26th 2010 when History for the Diocese of Hamilton was made at St. Anthony of Padua Parish. Bishops followed a fleet of robin hood hat men a.k.a (elderly) Alpini soldiers who were closely followed by the KofC (not to be confused with KFC or Colonel Sanders) who in full tux, cape, sword, gloves and feathered hat regalia then flanked the sides of the middle aisle awaiting the 15 priests and 2 bishops who walked between them heading towards the alter at the church front.
The assembly responded to the opening of the mass and then we were off! Our choir miraculously did not die or fade out or lose its tempo so completely that the thing turned into a hideous disaster (that we all secretly anticipated). Lo and behold ( though not professional in the least) we were able to sing every note from the highest of the high in the Latin Kyrie to the tempo confused Italian Gloria and beyond!
It was the proudest moment of my life -up to date.
We were even thanked by our pastor for doing such a wonderful job. Thank god half the assembly is old and hearing impaired and/or musically inexperienced because i am sure Simon from American Idol would have torn us apart.
My sisters and I saved the day, the organ music was beautiful and we were able to spread out among the different choir sections to carry the voices and somehow (with a little divine intervention I think) were able to complete our goal!
And all I have to show for it is an extremely sore throat and lack of voice...which will make for interesting tutorial discussions tomorrow... But it was well worth it!
-I think.
Next time you want to challenge yourself, try learning and singing the Soprano part of Enrico Perosi's "Messa Interna" or whatever it is called... Oh yeah! and Do it when you're sick!
XOXO
Cristina
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