As I sauntered out of the choir room with my back hunched over, and head down, memories from the past three years overwhelmed my mind. It was over. Three years of opportunities I felt I could receive nowhere else. Three years of experiences that I would never forget. Three years of strenuous, demanding rehearsals. Three years that shaped my personality and brought out the best in me. Chorus, as I found out, is so much more than just a group of musicians singing together. It’s been months I left the middle school and yet my feelings have not change in any way.

The choir was a huge part of everyday life. My life revolved around it: after-school rehearsals, competitions, concerts, try-outs for solos, class time, lessons; all my friends were in the choir. Not only did I sing outstanding music and learn theory, but I walked away having learned lessons that are extremely beneficial to any aspect of life, whether I end up a musician, or not. For instance, anything can happen at any moment, so never long for what you don’t have or downplay what you do, because if you look left and right, there’s always someone who has it worse. Cherrelea Morgen once said, “Life’s not always fair. Sometimes you can even get a splinter sliding down a rainbow.” I learned about dealing with rejection, perseverance, and pursuing goals even when the odds were stacked against me. I learned that a bump in the road should never end your journey, but instead, motivate you to keep on trudging.

No one can teach you better than the man behind it all; who shows you that you can always do so much more than you think you’re capable of; whose been there himself; who has impacted the lives of hundreds of aspiring students one by one. Mr. Ryan Guth. His wide range of experience in the music field brought us students further than we ever expected. During my time as a choral student under Mr. Guth, we received dozens of awards, even a most honorable one, the Esprit de Corps, representing the spirit and professionalism that represents the true spirit of choral singing. We came home with  awards for best overall choir, multiple best overall solos, and “superior” ratings at renowned competitions. Not only that, but he also provided us with chances to engage in concerts with nationally renowned musicians and music groups.

I will never forget feeling at the end of the every song; watching as the conductor gestures our release, ending on a well-balanced chord, watching the audiences jaws drop in awe as they burst with applause and cheers of satisfaction. It is the most unbelievable feeling that I know; so unbelievable there has not yet been an adjective invented to describe it. Singing in a choir presents us with feelings and opportunities that cannot be gained in other ventures. Choral singing, like all music, screams the words and actions that we cannot explain.

And as our conductor lifted his arms to prepare for our final song at graduation, my eyes scanned every member as they gleefully smiled with excitement, anticipation and pride. These were the people that would always be my confidants and friends. I felt truly home.

–S.H.