Sunday Sermon: December 16th, 2012

(Courtesy: Journal Times)

Prelude: What if I told you that on one special day in December, One church's choir accomplished what one person considered the most unthinkable song. Sung completely in Latin, and not only that, a band to boot, and also to honor the victims of Sandy Hook... This was DECEMBER 16TH, 2012...

Nearly 2 years ago, I remember when September came around and the choir was being welcomed back to singing by Pastor Mark. When he was doing a complete rundown of what was to come during the first half of the choir's schedule. When he said the words: "I certainly cannot wait for this one: Rutter's Gloria. This one I can't wait to hear!"

I was like: Huh? Rutter's Gloria? What's the big deal?

As I was continuing to think about it and first heard the song, I knew right then and there it was going to be the most difficult piece ever imagined by my own standards. The song was completely done in latin. At least we had a director who knew the language well.

When I first read the music. I was pretty mortified at how incredibly difficult the tenor part was...

Not only that... It was THREE PARTS TO THE SONG (Allegro Vivace, Andante, Vivace e ritmico). It was a nearly 17 minute song. Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't complaining... I was shocked.

As the choir prepared for their retreat to practice everything from Advent I to Christmas Eve, I decided to take a copy of the tenor position in the song.

On December 13th, we took to the altar for one last practice before we sang the song. We all had it nailed down to a near science since we spent a lot of time dealing with it during the retreat. My goal was to copy off of my choirmate Phil J. who was pretty much a trained musician.

The day after, I was trying to round up everyone to come see me sing... However, everyone was again too busy for Jesus and to hear me sing. 

But then, we had a bigger issue... On December 14th, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut was shot up by a 20-year old which just scared us to death. Many children were killed and we were stunned to think what heaven looked like that day with all those children meeting their creator.

I decided that it was best if we dedicate the song to the Newtown victims. Everyone was in agreement with the gesture.

They were going to save us for the end of the service and I knew had to sing both services so... I was set.

Again, no one was there supporting me. It was time to go down and sing. Nerves? In check... Music? Yep... Ready? I'll be ready.

We had a delay though to start because the Organist who was filling in while our director directed was having trouble with the mirror. Pastor Mark did warn against applause until the song was over... Remember, it is a 17-minute song

The music began... The trumpets blared, the horns sounded, and the tympani was pounded... Then the organ at max volume just unleashed the sounds of the music.

MAN! This was going to be great. I was at full capacity on my singing. I did a heck of a lot of markings on my booklet. from FF to P to EXPLOSION... to... Arrows.... to... whatever... I wanted myself to be perfect for this.

And with all the practice on part I, it paid off, the sounds were great. Everyone was enjoying themselves. Heck, even Pastor Mark put in the translations of the Latin in the bulletin so people could follow along.

Then we hit some parts which I kind of drew off. I was really disappointed there...

As part I continued, the song got a bit faster and more exciting. The song was just going in virtual waves of sound... I was definitely in perpetual focus mode. I've never sung that great in my lifetime, but this was quite possibly the best song I've ever sang.

Trouble was... it wasn't over... we still had two more parts left.

Part I done... Pastor Mark said: Do not applaud... but... they did..

Part II was next and that was the slow and near silent part. The music began and it felt like everything was just a blue photography image. This part lasted nearly 7 minutes.

We had to wait about 45 seconds until we started singing. I was definitely hitting the Tenor/Baritone high parts pretty well.

After the sopranos sung: "Jesu Christe." We had to go through a 90 second interlude.

As the song picked up, it got louder... and louder... I said in the back of my head: Please hit 11 on the volume meter.

Then I just went off... the back of my head just said: WOW! How did you do that!?

It got silent... Very silent... I saw PPP on the first part of the silent part...

Heather did the soprano solo and she was pretty amazing doing that. Heather and Jan (who are probably the captains of the choir) probably have the best voices on the team. The Phils are the captains on the men's side.

My goal? Just keep my ear open to listen to what Phil is doing... See, I cannot read music whatsoever.

Part 2 was done... The next part was when we really head into the excitement. The 3rd part was pretty self explanatory.

As we sang our way to the end... I was personally glad the song was nearly over with.

We came up to the amen, it required a near extreme blastissimo (3+ F's). But the song's conclusion was the most exciting ever. The sounds of the brass really got to the congregation.

GLORIA... IN EXCELSIS DEO...! Wow!

The congregation was going to love the ending...

Full blast....

AND THAT WAS IT!!! WE CONQUERED...!!!!!

The congregation got up and just applauded like crazy, they were incredibly impressed with the hard work and dedication we put into the song... We just stood there and that was it... We were proud of ourselves.. We conquered.

Only one 1 problem... we had to do it again at 11.

Both crowds enjoyed the song. I personally myself enjoyed it as well. All it needed was some bells at the end and the song would've been even more perfect.

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That was it. I made it through 2 services of singing a very difficult song. As I got in my car, I had found a sense of fulfillment but also a sense of disbelief.

No one was there on my behalf to see me sing. That's all I really wanted.

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Epilogue:

Rutter's Gloria was quite possibly one of the most difficult, harsh, and loudest hymns I've ever had to sing. Again, there was disbelief, but also there was the sense of fulfillment. Do I have any regrets of joining the choir? Nah, I really don't. I faced my demons, tried out, and did it. To conclude, that was probably the best advent ever. I wonder if 2014 will top it.

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~ Joshua