Being in a choir takes dedication, patience and the ability to act like you know what you're doing at all times. While each individual choir is unique, here are 14 experiences every chorus member, regardless of voice part, can relate to.
1. Solfège
The subtle art of moving your hand up and down and a language of its own. When done correctly, hand movements correspond to notes.
2. "Mommy made me mash my M&Ms."
Whatever variation in chord progression or pace, this is a staple warm-up piece.
3. Sight reading
The bane of every choir kid's existence.
4. That one soprano
We all know who she is. She treats the rest of the choir as if they're her background singers and doesn't seem to realize that louder and higher doesn't always equate to better singing.
5. The choir dresses
A dress that's always a little too baggy and a little too tight in the wrong places. One size may fit all but one fit does not flatter all.
6. Carol of the bells
A Christmas tradition as well as an unspoken contest between choirs to see who can sing it the fastest.
7. The eye
The glare you get from your director that confirms that you either a) breathed when you weren't supposed to or b) committed some other vocal atrocity.
8. Choir trips
Similar to band camp, but with singing.
9. The choir alum who never left
You could have sworn he graduated but he seems to roll around with that visitor's pass a little too often. Rumor has it that he lives in the theater supply closet.
10. These.
11. Happy birthday/national anthem
Every choir has its own variation and you often catch yourself at baseball games singing your part of the national anthem.
12. Risers
The eternal fear of falling off and the struggle to find a window. Also an unspoken method of short shaming.
13. When you hit that chord
You've been working on a song for months and finally, everyone manages to hold their part. That beautiful moment that makes many frustrating rehearsals and "Again, from the top"s worth it.
14. "I can't. I have rehearsal."
A phrase used to get out of unwanted social situations as well as a legitimate reason for not having a life outside of the choir room.
Regardless of why you joined choir, it's come to be like a second family. From learning a song 20 minutes before a concert to putting in those extra hours to make your choir director proud, there's no way you would trade those experiences for anything else.
