Day 3:: Tour 2025

It was the third day of rehearsal, so ‘dis mean we were tired. We sang all of our songs, all of the day. We were expected to know our music better than the day before (huh? :) And we were frightfully getting closer to leaving for tour.

Easy as it is to get caught up in music details, we found sparkles. Nathan M. and Jordan shared thoughts on the background of a couple of songs and the meaning behind them. Katrina fed us snacks and tea. Lyle kept us upbeat and guided us on the journey of musical technicalities and expression. Rachel Weaver’s family served us a delicious lunch and spritzer bar. I felt rather fancy.

Some favorite things from the day. A question emerged on why we were singing a men’s song instead of a women’s song this year. Then after the women sang their beginning lines in Abendlied, our chances of getting a women’s song next year perhaps lifted slightly. Emphasis on “perhaps”. :) Someone else pointed out that one song had the ominous warning written on the bottom of the page that photocopying would result in “warts and hair loss”! We’ll have to try it to see for sure. Just kidding.

The party began at Cliff and Trina’s again in the evening. I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn to know this group of people and their family members that can be with us. It is a gift to be able to join them this year.

• Maria Byler