Singing in a choir is a phenomenal experience. Never before have I participated in creating such a sound: one that is unified amongst over one hundred fellow voices; in essence, it is a Sound that unifies over one hundred fellow human beings. And how often does that happen in this world. Really.

There's something about the combination of counterpoint and text that is so delightfully ecstatic. One of our pieces, Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium (O Great Mystery), with its painful and beautiful suspensions, is sung at such a slow tempo -- yet, every note carries a very quiet intensity. Such strength is found in counterpoint! The text is famous for its juxtiposition of Christ the Savior and His humble beginnings in a manger. O Magnum Mysterium is reflective and reverent.

I highly recommend joining a choir, especially one with a good director that has musical ideas and expressive gestures. It is a deeply satisfying, and deeply spiritual, experience.