Do Re Mi and Ho Ho Ho

More original fiction from your humble scribe

“I know we’re not all here yet, but let’s start anyway,” Gladys announced. “The others will arrive soon, I hope.”

Awkwardly spaced between uncomfortable pews, we gathered upstairs in the church sanctuary, an uncomfortable though convenient rehearsal space, huddled around the one-manual, four-stop pipe organ donated by someone, sometime. It was a musical jewel.

“We have a lot to do tonight. With just three weeks till the carol service we have some new music to learn; I want to dust off some old favourites, and give our new minister here some ideas about how to produce a carol service. That’s OK with you Minister?”

“Absolutely,” I feebly offered, hoping her offer was less patronizing than it sounded.

“This is your first Christmas carol service so let’s make it a good one.”

“Are we all here yet?” chimed Sam. “I don’t see Milton or Don.”

“Don is coming? He can’t sing” added Kevin, a singer borrowed from the Baptist congregation. “The man’s a walking foghorn.”

“Given that we lack the resources of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir we must take what we can find don’t you think Kevin? After all, that’s why you’re here isn’t it?.”

“Sorry. I was unkind.”

“And so was I” smiled Gladys. “As usual we need more tenors.”

“What’s first then, or do we need to warm up?”

“Personally, I think warm-ups are just an excuse to start late. Let’s not, and say we did.”

Right on cue, the heavy front door swung open admitting Milton, followed closely by Don.

“Sorry to be late everyone. I picked up Milton, but then we got a flat tire. Tricky to change it out in the dark you know.”

“That’s OK Don, glad you made it. We’re still waiting for Ronni and Ruth. Let’s keep going anyway. In your folders please: “O Little Town Of Bethlehem.” English tune, FOREST GREEN.

“I like the other one, the American tune” quipped Don.

“I suppose someone would prefer plainsong,” Gladys facetiously added.

“Let’s go English shall we Gladys,” I offered.

“Thanks minister. So, slow four in a bar, medium tempo, Andante, Mezzo-forte. I’ll count you in, and unison to start with please. One, two three . . .”

Quite quickly, almost too easily, the group came together, which surprised me. We had never sung together before; I didn’t even know half the group; and some were still missing. Yet, despite a few syllabic collisions, we sounded pretty good.

The remaining singers, Ronni and Ruth arrived, collected their music folders, and joined us.

“Sorry to be late everyone. You sounded great from the porch.”

“Thanks Ronni. We’re all here now, so let’s work on some parts.”.

The art of singing in parts is a musical discipline as ancient as it is varied. From Mennonites singing entirely a cappella (without instruments) in multiple parts, to symphonic orchestras supporting mass choirs singing major works like Mozart’s Requiem, choral music stirs the spirit as much as any artistic endeavour.

We had only eight people in our little chorus, so four-part work is a challenge. It’s one thing to sing a unison tune together: “Do, a deer, a female deer . . .” It’s more difficult to have one part sing Do, while another sings Mi above it, simultaneously. Still, we managed with enthusiasm as we moved on to the next carol.

“‘Shepherds In The Field’ is next.  Let’s everyone sing the tune once, then we’ll learn the parts.”

Once the melody was well in hand, in the space of ten or so minutes Gladys worked each part separately. Next she combined two parts; and finally, all four. Once the notes were secure, she had us listen to one another. If we heard only our own voice, we were too loud; if we heard only our neighbour’s voice we were too soft.

“As you know” Milton noted, “I haven’t done much singing but this is a lot of fun. We are actually improving; even you Don.”

“Being able to hear each other helps.”

Milton continued: “Hymns and songs often go by so fast there’s no time to pay attention to the words. But when I know the music, and when the words match the tune, well, it feels good.”

It was hard to say who was having the most fun. The sopranos generally sing the tune, the icing on the cake as it were; the basses lay down the foundation upon which all other parts stand; the tenors get to tune the chord, singing either a major or minor third about the tonic note; and like a good stovetop sauce, the altos sweeten the mixture.

As for the conductor, well even Gladys was smiling. “We are making good progress folks. We have half an hour left, so let’s tackle something a little trickier. Turn to the ‘Coventry Carol.’”

It’s one of the earliest carols written in English. It first appeared in the middle ages as part of a mystery play performed in the old Coventry Cathedral. That building was bombed during the second world war; the ruins however remain attached to the modern building.

“I’ve been to Coventry Cathedral” said Sam. “It’s amazing.”

“Me too” added Ronni.

“There’s nowhere to hide in this music. So take deep breaths and think of long lines of text. Don’t rush. Savour the sound” directed Gladys.

“Don’t you think it’s odd that this is considered a Christmas Carol? What with Herod killing all the innocent kids it’s rather grisly” piped Milton.

“Maybe the sixteenth century was more violent than the twenty-first?”

“I’m not so sure about that” Milton replied.

We sang anyway, rather sweetly, though somewhat puzzled by the second verse:

Herod, the king, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young to slay.

Scanning the room of eight singers I was amazed what we had already produced; and we had two more rehearsals to go. Good people doing good things, and we all seemed to enjoy the activity. Not bad for one night’s work.

My eye drifted over to the alto section, and to Ronni in particular. I had  met her only once and knew little about her. She was beautiful, with clouds of dark hair and upturned, somehow rueful blue eyes. I wondered; if I noticed her, did she return my gaze?

“Thanks everyone for a good practice. See you next week, same time, same place,” announced Gladys. “And practice your parts please.”

This I will do, maybe with another choir member? Fingers crossed.

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