The final day of workshop is simultaneously the best and the worst day of the week. On one hand, we finally get to showcase the results of all the hard work we have put in during our short time together, but on the other hand, it means we have to say a painful “see ‘ya later” to some of our most cherished friends. The whole day is a blur of heightened emotions; excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and even a sense of prematurely missing one another, even though we have not yet left each other’s side.
Our debut concert was a hot one. Despite the heat that we could physically see sizzling over the quad, we performed to the best of our abilities, applying all the little corrections that had been made just that morning. We paid careful attention to Mr. Snyder and Chad Putka while they conducted and painted a picture of the story we were telling through our music. We had a fantastic audience who was engaged for the entire performance, even though it was over 80°F! The 26th Chorale really couldn’t have asked for a better first concert, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated work of the Chorale staff. We love you!
As we all have been reflecting over the past few days about our time at Muskingum with the Cardinal Chorale, it’s finally sinking in just how powerful that experience was. Many of us as returning members remember thinking about an email we received a little over a year ago. In May 2020, we were told that the 25th Chorale would not be able to tour that summer, and about a month later we found out that we couldn’t come together for workshop in July either. We were crushed, and it was a very real concern for a lot of us that our time in the Chorale was over. Flash forward to now, we can all be beyond grateful that we were able to come together for a successful workshop this year. Between the new members stepping up to the plate and returning members leading the way, we awoke the sound of beautiful music once again.
Although leaving is never easy, we can take comfort that in knowing we’ll soon be home. The 26th Cardinal Chorale will reconvene for our Annual Post-Christmas Concert in December at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Pickerington. We can’t wait to see you then!
“If I can take the pain, the heartache that it brings, there’s comfort that in knowing I’ll soon be home.”
Walter Hawkins’ “I’m Goin’ Up a Yonder”
