Fast forward to the fall of my second year at Weber. Having been encouraged by a couple of people I looked up to, I decided to audition for Chorale. I was nervous but had found a song I would feel comfortable singing. The night before my audition, I came down with a bad cold. The morning of my audition I felt miserable. Runny nose, scratchy throat, cough. I went to the audition and was filling out the form. I was so nervous. One of the Chorale officers started talking to me and when I told her that I had just come down with a cold and didn't think I was going to do very well, she told me that Brother Castleton (the Director) made the decision based on the audition, but also on what the Spirit told him. I put my fate in the Lord's hands, with faith that if I was meant to be in Chorale it would happen.
I made it! I was so excited. I enjoyed my first year in Chorale. It was a great learning experience and my singing ability had greatly improved, but since a lot of people in the choir had been in it previously they had already formed groups of friends. I didn't have any close friends in Chorale, and being a very shy person, didn't really feel like a part of the group. I had decided that I was not going to audition the next fall.
Halfway through the summer, I received a call from Evan Thomas who would be the Chorale President the next year. He asked if I would be the Librarian (in charge of all the sheet music) for the next year. I thanked him and told him that I didn't plan to be in Chorale again. He said that he had felt impressed to call me to that position and asked me to reconsider. I thought about it and prayed about it and decided to accept the call. That was one of the best decisions I ever made. My second year in Chorale was an incredible experience, both spiritually and temporally. I was surrounded by talented, spiritual, fun people. I made it my goal to make everyone feel included since I had felt so out of place the year before. I stepped out of my comfort zone and forged friendships that I will treasure forever.
What I had planned to be only one year in Chorale turned into five. They were five of the best years of my life and I am so grateful that the Lord guided me, through the encouragement of others, to be a part of something so amazing.
I am so humbled and grateful to have been a part of a choir that was so talented. The music is beyond beautiful, and I would swear that at times a heavenly choir was singing with us. As I have been listening to my Chorale music during the last 24 hours, I have again been touched by the Spirit of the music, and have remembered experiences and people who touched my life. To all my Chorale friends: Thank you! I'll love you forever!!!
