Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
I love that song, Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing. I’ve been singing it since I was a kid at Camp Croft Baptist Church outside of Spartanburg.
It was at that church that I learned to love singing. In fact, if the truth be known, that was the reason I enjoyed going every Sunday. Singing drew my heart there.
As soon as they would let me, I began singing in that choir. I believe I was one of the youngest singers they ever had.
It was always a place I felt welcomed.
I’ve sung in a number of choirs and choral groups in my lifetime. Some were church choirs, others were smaller choral groups. I also loved to do solos and duets. My sister and I loved singing duets together. She still has a lovely voice after all these years.
I don’t sing in a group right now. Too many other commitments keep me from practicing regularly with a group. When I can, I do sing for events so, I keep my voice as flexible as possible for those opportunities.
One of the most important qualities of a good singer is to be a good listener.
This weekend, I will be a listener. You see, the Lexington Choral Society is performing this weekend in Lexington. There are over 100 voices in that group – led by Hal McIntosh – one of the best choral directors I have ever sung with. Besides being an accomplished performer and opera singer himself, he is passionately enthusiastic, knows how to effectively deal with divas, and is a master at encouraging timid singers to reach for new levels of talent within themselves. He can also make a group of over 100 sound like a few voices mastering harmony at its best.
There’s a place in heaven for someone like that. I also am amazed that so many people commit to the hours that it takes to make their voices blend together. When you see a group of singers that stays with it for years, you know that has so much to do with the leader. In this case, Hal MAKES one want to sing. He’s really that good!
If you have time, come hear them sing this weekend. They will perform at 7:30 pm on February 23rd and 24th at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church located at 5503 Sunset Boulevard in Lexington.
My wish for you today is that you embrace the wonder of many voices singing together in an amazing harmony whenever you can. You won’t be disappointed. There may not be 1000 tongues singing, but you will be enthralled by the over 100 you will hear. It will sound like heaven…and we can all use a little more of that.
~ Joellen