If you’ve ever been in an all-girl choir, you can probably relate to most, if not all of these signs. Whether you’re in a choir now or you have been in the past, there are some things about being in an all-girl choir that make you who you are.

1. You know music you’d never listen to casually

Old folksongs, Broadway hits, African chants: this is probably familiar. There’s tons of music that you know inside out that you would never ever know otherwise.

2. You think your section is the best

You are very dedicated to your vocal section. You often complain that your section always gets the boring part or always gets the hard part. But you still think your section is the best. Just kidding, Alto I is the best.

3. You love warm-ups

You get to make all kinds of noises and go up and down the scale and any other fun warm-ups your teacher has. This is usually the best part of rehearsal.

4. You hate sight-singing

You are dreading having to take out that book and figure out what notes to sing just from looking at them. Also it makes you think of NYSSMA, which no one wants to think of, even if you don’t do NYSSMA.

5. You can match pitch and find harmonies

If you’re standing with your section, that is.

6. You know who’s the best in your section

Someone’s got to match pitch and find harmonies for the whole section.

7. People hate you

Most of your peers have probably had to sit through one of your performances in school before and probably did not have a fun time doing it. The same goes for your siblings and possibly your parents.

8. People laugh when you tell them

“No way, so you’re, like... a choir girl? On purpose?” Yes. Oops.

9. You’re embarrassed

You try not to tell too many people and when you do, you always make sure they know how you’re too cool for choir and it’s whatever.

10. You’re proud

When you and your girls work really hard and hit that perfect harmony or get that exact tempo, you couldn’t be more proud of all the hard work you all put into your music. Choir is badass! Who cares what anyone thinks?

11. You’ve had some awesome experiences

If you’ve been in a choir that competes you’ve had to travel with your choir. This always proves to be an interesting and often...bonding time. You all end up coming home so much closer. Whether you’re wreaking havoc in a hotel or getting stuck on your bus for a few hours, you end up connecting. If you don’t compete, performing in a concert all the music you and your girls have worked so hard on is an exciting experience you’ll never forget.

12. You have the BEST choir director

You spend time rehearsing, learning, laughing, and growing with one very special person that dedicates so much of their time to you all. This person has given up so much and works so hard to make sure everything comes out awesome. They end up becoming a role model and a mentor. They inspire you in so many ways and you love them.

13. You’re part of a sisterhood that will stick with you forever

OK, so you definitely don’t get along all the time and you’re all very different girls. But you share memories that no one else has, a love for music that grew together, and a sisterhood that you’re stuck with. I’ve met my best friend in my chorale. I love them and I’ll never forget the laughter, the tears, the memories, and the music that brought us all together.