Levi is in a fancy-pants high school choir called Master Singers. They truly are a talented choir, singing difficult music and doing so with style and class. I am grateful for the music education that my son is receiving, for the skills he is developing, and for the students he gets to create this music with. But there’s more:
Every time I attend a concert at one of our schools (elementary through high school) it’s a bit like going to worship the Lord. Of course, there are some songs that have nothing to do with Jesus. But in every program there are some selections that are undeniably written to be performed to the glory of God and God alone. I don’t know if the directors of the bands and choirs are people of faith. I am certain that most of the students who diligently rehearse and practice these wonderful works of art and faith have no clear idea of what they’re singing. But for those of us who are in the know, these concerts are a full-blown symphony of praise to the Lord God, the Most High, the King of Creation.
It doesn’t hurt that our church meets in a couple of the school district buildings, either!
Highlight of tonight’s concert: I noticed that the scheduled accompanist for a selection walked off the stage before it was her turn to play. She was moments away from passing out–the room was very warm, and the night was long. When the director introduced her, she was still offstage. He walked over to check on her and found her unable to perform. We all felt terrible for this young lady. He turned to another student–a senior who is quite an accomplished member of the group. The question was put to him: Will you try to play this piece? There were a few obstacles:
1. He’d never played it before. I don’t know that he’d even seen the piano score before tonight.
2. There was a room full of family and friends watching this performance.
3. This is the elite choir, singing their final concert of the season. The music is difficult.
4. The composer of the piece was IN THE ROOM as an adjudicator (some type of judge) for the performance.
The young man took in the situation, and without a moment’s hesitation slipped out of his spot in the choir to take his place at the piano. He glanced over the music, nodded to his director, and proceeded to CRUSH that piece of music. Bright lights, intense pressure, sight reading a performance piece with the composer in the building…Tyler Weakland’s performance tonight rivals any clutch performance that I’ve seen on any field or court in my life. When the piece was completed the room erupted, giving Tyler and the choir a standing ovation.
Tyler’s reaction: he slipped his choir robe back on and took his place with his choirmates, ready for the next song. Classy.
In his recognition of the graduating seniors, Mr. Drafall mentioned that he loves his job because of the quality of students he gets to teach. State High grads leave Happy Valley and go change the world. In looking over the list of past grads and thinking about the students I’ve seen walk through those halls, I’d have to say I agree with him.
2 Comments
Ryan · May 30, 2012 at 9:36 am
Great story! Got chills reading it.
Amy · May 30, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Mr. Drafall came my senior year and it was such a privilege to have sung under his leadership. Master Singers was the first time I felt like I was validated as a singer. It gave me the courage to keep singing.