This past weekend, I returned to the college where I got my undergraduate degree for the college’s Homecoming festivities. In all of the years since I graduated, I had never attended Homecoming. I made special plans to attend this year, because my vocal music professor will be retiring at the end of this academic year.
One of the highlights of Homecoming weekend is an “Open Choir Rehearsal,” which is always held on the Saturday morning of Homecoming weekend. In that rehearsal, the current Lycoming College Choir members sing along with returning choir alumni. The rehearsal was held in a beautifully constructed building that has been erected on campus since my graduation: Honors Hall.
Dr. Fred Thayer, the choir director, led the choir in some familiar pieces, such as “Beautiful Savior” and “The Benediction” by Peter Lutkin. The choir also rehearsed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” as the group of current choir members and alumni were invited to sing this piece at the college football game later in the afternoon.
Fred allowed each returning choir member to introduce himself/herself and to update the group on life since college. I could see the pride on Fred’s face as he witnessed each returning choir member sharing a few words about his or her life journey.
We also had the opportunity to hear the current Lycoming Chamber Choir perform. As these young sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses lifted their voices, it was evident that they were engaged in a meaningful way with the music, with each other, and with their conductor. The beautiful sounds that filled the concert hall were sounds that were alive with humanness and connection; these young singers are very lucky to be experiencing the gift of making music under the direction of Dr. Thayer.
A conductor does not simply wave his or her arms in the air to keep the tempo and remind the singers of the dynamics in the pieces of music. A choral conductor has the privilege of taking individual voices and individual spirits and joining them in a way that is meaningful and that allows each singer’s strengths and talents to be combined in a way that leads to a collective sound that is strong and vibrant. As voices join, friendships form, and the music strengthens those friendships and the friendships strengthen the music-making.
I was moved on Saturday by the special connection that exists between Lycoming College Choir alumni, even those separated in their college singing tenure by 30 years. I am grateful for my experience singing in the Lycoming College Choir, and I wish the very best to this year’s vocal ensembles and wish the very best to their outstanding conductor and mentor, Dr. Fred Thayer.
