I went on a choir tour to Ukraine in 2017. Not given to smiling much, our Ukrainian choir leader told us, so we were expecting a cool reception. Met with crowds annd warm applause, we were on every tv station and sang to packed spaces in each town. But the final concert, which we gave in our leader’s small home town was the one I’ll never forget. We had learned a folk song in Ukrainian, at the end of which the audience spontaneously sang back to us a traditional song of welcome, bringing us in as their family. We in the choir all held hands on the stage and tried to hold back tears as the love flowed our way. No other language than music could have brought us so close.
My gosh I loved every word of this and I wish I could have been there to hear y’all. Really have to make a Fatboy Slim show, too. That might need to go on the bucket list! And thank you for linking my essay. So happy to be connected ❤️
How wonderful. Such glorious, soul-enriching moments. I have taken part in choir tours to Bruges and Krakow and they were just as much a mixture of giving and receiving joy as you've described.
Honestly - the first thing I've thought 'oooo I could do that' about for at least a fortnight. A gloom redressing piece from Wendy Varley - thank you Wendy.
the last I joined had sheet music and folders; I am neither soprano nor alto and can only really follow the top tune. I'm 5' 1'' so they lined me up with the children, who stopped singing, held their breath and turned scarified heads my way if ever I dared a note.
I need the company of people who snore and get up to pee in the night and can bang out a rap now and then.
So many talents Wendy! I was having a rough time learning a complicated piano piece and my piano teacher suggested we sing the melody to help me through it. I told her I can't sing and she said, "Everybody can sing!" So, we started warbling and before long, she stopped, looked at me intensely and said, "You're right."
Thanks for reading and commenting, Holly. Really enjoying your own writing here on Substack and good to be in touch.
The light show was magical!
I’ve been in a few choirs over the years, but this one’s the best - wonderful community and an expectation that everyone will rise to the challenge and achieve something special together.
I grew up singing first with church groups and then with a locally (and occasionally a bit farther afoot) traveling youth choir. We put on a whole song and dance show. I did that from I’d guess age 8 or so to midway through high school.
Your choir sounds lovely. I don’t find as much opportunity to sing as I should these days (even though my guitar travels with me in the van).
That sounds fantastic! Wow. I sing in a community choir in North London, we also do gigs and festivals on occasions. It literally was the best thing I ever did to get me through my marriage breakdown 6 years ago. It was slightly interrupted by Covid, but we sang in the park instead! One very dark cold night , we sang fix you , cold play by candle light , a memory I’ll never forget 😊
I didn’t spot this comment at the time you posted it for some reason, Francis, sorry. I’ve sung Fix You in choir, too. Beautiful song. We had some outdoor rehearsals during Covid, too, which were memorable. One afternoon in a field with a gale blowing. The show must go on :-)
What a great experience! I sang in the choir in high school at the international school in Geneva and loved it. I can still do the soprano bits to the Messiah and always sing my heart out in the car when I’m alone snd playing it around Christmas time. We did the pirates of penzance, too! Such wonderful memories. I love singing!
This brilliantly sums up our choir's Tour de France. What a great time we all had. Thanks Wendy!
Thanks, Rachael! Was great to get to know you better.
I went on a choir tour to Ukraine in 2017. Not given to smiling much, our Ukrainian choir leader told us, so we were expecting a cool reception. Met with crowds annd warm applause, we were on every tv station and sang to packed spaces in each town. But the final concert, which we gave in our leader’s small home town was the one I’ll never forget. We had learned a folk song in Ukrainian, at the end of which the audience spontaneously sang back to us a traditional song of welcome, bringing us in as their family. We in the choir all held hands on the stage and tried to hold back tears as the love flowed our way. No other language than music could have brought us so close.
How wonderful, Karen. Thanks for sharing this memory of a profound musical experience.
My gosh I loved every word of this and I wish I could have been there to hear y’all. Really have to make a Fatboy Slim show, too. That might need to go on the bucket list! And thank you for linking my essay. So happy to be connected ❤️
Thank you, Ally! And thanks for conjuring that inspiring essay out of a difficult virtual encounter.
Wow, that really does sound like an absolute fab experience. The power of music.
Thanks for commenting, Nancy. It is amazing what music can do.
How wonderful. Such glorious, soul-enriching moments. I have taken part in choir tours to Bruges and Krakow and they were just as much a mixture of giving and receiving joy as you've described.
Thanks. Fiona. Wow, those must have been fascinating cities to visit.
Yes, soul-enriching is exactly right.
I'm so happy for all of you. And for everyone who got to hear you!
Thank you, Lyndsey.
Lovely piece Wendy. I am tone deaf and no one would want me in their choir sadly but I enjoyed living it through you. Mayflies and all.
Thanks, Margaret. Well, appreciating music, as you do, is also very good for the soul!
There are choirs for everyone. Maybe not near you, geographically, but seriously, check it out, man 👍💯▶️
willing to move - too young to die where I am, too old not to if I don't keep my wits about me ...
yes
Honestly - the first thing I've thought 'oooo I could do that' about for at least a fortnight. A gloom redressing piece from Wendy Varley - thank you Wendy.
Thank you, Cherry. Absolutely recommend it! Good for body and soul.
I am certain I need your choir ...
the last I joined had sheet music and folders; I am neither soprano nor alto and can only really follow the top tune. I'm 5' 1'' so they lined me up with the children, who stopped singing, held their breath and turned scarified heads my way if ever I dared a note.
I need the company of people who snore and get up to pee in the night and can bang out a rap now and then.
All power to you and your people xx
Haha, Cherry! You sound like you’d fit right in. Plenty of people are sopranos so they can sing the tune!
So many talents Wendy! I was having a rough time learning a complicated piano piece and my piano teacher suggested we sing the melody to help me through it. I told her I can't sing and she said, "Everybody can sing!" So, we started warbling and before long, she stopped, looked at me intensely and said, "You're right."
Ah no! That was mean of her!
Nah, she was simply stating a truth. I wasn’t the least bit offended!
This magnificent Wendy. I also sing in a choir and write music for it. Should send you some.
Thank you, Seb! Choirs are the best! I'd love to see (or hear) what kind of music you write. DM me when you get time.
Oh my, that light show!
I haven’t sung in a choir for a very long time. But much of my youth involved a whole lot of singing. And there’s sweet magic in harmonizing.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Holly. Really enjoying your own writing here on Substack and good to be in touch.
The light show was magical!
I’ve been in a few choirs over the years, but this one’s the best - wonderful community and an expectation that everyone will rise to the challenge and achieve something special together.
What did you sing in your youth?
Thank you, Wendy!
I grew up singing first with church groups and then with a locally (and occasionally a bit farther afoot) traveling youth choir. We put on a whole song and dance show. I did that from I’d guess age 8 or so to midway through high school.
Your choir sounds lovely. I don’t find as much opportunity to sing as I should these days (even though my guitar travels with me in the van).
That sounds fantastic! Wow. I sing in a community choir in North London, we also do gigs and festivals on occasions. It literally was the best thing I ever did to get me through my marriage breakdown 6 years ago. It was slightly interrupted by Covid, but we sang in the park instead! One very dark cold night , we sang fix you , cold play by candle light , a memory I’ll never forget 😊
I didn’t spot this comment at the time you posted it for some reason, Francis, sorry. I’ve sung Fix You in choir, too. Beautiful song. We had some outdoor rehearsals during Covid, too, which were memorable. One afternoon in a field with a gale blowing. The show must go on :-)
Wow, I wish I came to see you and your choir singing!!!
I wish you could too! Thanks for reading and sharing.
What a great experience! I sang in the choir in high school at the international school in Geneva and loved it. I can still do the soprano bits to the Messiah and always sing my heart out in the car when I’m alone snd playing it around Christmas time. We did the pirates of penzance, too! Such wonderful memories. I love singing!
Thank you, Francesca. Glad you have the singing bug, too! And thanks for sharing the piece, and for subscribing.
I can’t believe I hadn’t already subscribed!
Amazing Wendy, and so beautifully described! I'd love to hear you!
Thanks, Fi!
Wonderful. There’s just nothing like voices together in song. Now I want to join a choir!
Thank you, Anna. Yes, it’s so good for the soul. Thank you for subscribing, too!