Relieved, sad, and worn out
Well, all of the hard work and practice leading up to the Easter Cantata is finally over. We performed "AMEN" this morning during the Easter Sunday Worship service. I am relieved, sad, and worn out now that it's over. As I placed the cantata book into my choir bag after the service, it was like I was putting away an old friend. This cantata had a special meaning to me on so many levels. I dedicated the cantata in the memory of Mrs. Dockery. I thought of her many times today while at church. I missed her terribly but I knew she was having a much better Easter than I was. She is actually with the one that we were singing about! But, I was still sad as I turned to the front page of my book and saw her name written there. This was also the first "real" cantata that I had taught our choir. Always before it was just song selections that I had picked out and threw together, stuff that they already knew on some level. AMEN was pretty difficult for a choir such as ours. I was very proud of our members and how much they worked on this and put forth such effort. They are such a great group of people.
There was a nice turnout for the choir, not so much for the entire church. Many empty seats this morning. Things just aren't like they used to be when on Easter Sunday morning the church house would be packed full. I can remember services where you were lucky to get a seat. This morning you had your choice.
The low church attendance didn't effect the effort that we put into our cantata. I believe each and every choir member put forth 100%. I thought the sound was excellent. We only had a couple of small hiccups through the entire 30-minute performance. I brought the choir in 2-beats too early on one song and Barbara accidentally turned 2-pages instead of one during one of our songs. We kept going right along and didn't miss a beat.
Our opening song was the title song, AMEN. After we finished, everyone in the church began clapping. I'm not sure if it was because it was so good or because they thought we were finished. If it was the latter, they were in for a surprise. It is a pretty long cantata. If you actually listened to the words and the spoken parts in between numbers, you will hear about the entire life of Jesus, topped off with a salute to his power and majesty. I think my very favorite number is "Why Should He Love Me So?" It is so beautiful and so true. I cry nearly every time we sing it. I'll try to get the whole thing uploaded soon and post a link to listen. Songs include:
AMEN…...........Wonderful Words Of Life............Let The Song Go Round The Earth..............Why Should He Love Me So?......Alas and Did My Savior Bleed / My Faith Looks Up To Thee.....................Crown Him / All Hail King Jesus....AMEN (Reprise)
