The Crescent Moon Rises

NASA Photo, PD from 2010

This evening my husband and I found our way to Edenton Street UMC in downtown Raleigh for their fall choral concert "Southern Harmony - The Celtic Origins of Southern Folk Hymns." 

As we drove home afterwards, a huge crescent moon seemed to rise out of nowhere, as if in celebration of the beauty we had just experienced.

As with choral concerts in so many places over the years, tonight I felt like I was transported somewhere else on wings of song beautifully written and finely sung. It was especially meaningful to me, having directed that choir as their interim director during their search in 2011 and the first part of 2012.

The new director, Kevin Holland, has started the season with this choir with a wonderful program. Congratulations to him and all the fine singers who were a part of it. 

All of the selections were just exquisite, but the one that moved me most profoundly was the setting of Amazing Grace by Roger Ames, with solos for a mezzo-soprano and soprano. Ames wrote this work for the children who lost parents in the 911 attacks. 

My dear friend Katherine (Kat) moved me so deeply with her mezzo-soprano solo. She sang from the heart, clear and pure. When Sally Thomas joined on her soaring solo, my whole body began to tremble and tears just streamed down my cheeks. Sally's voice is so rich, powerful, mature. I felt as if my mother, who went to heaven in January, was able to hear this piece along with me as voices parted the thin place where heaven and earth meet. Thank you choir, harpist, Kat and Sally. I will long remember this gift. 

When I lived in Harrisonburg, I often wrote poems as a way to debrief after concerts at James Madison University. Here is one I wrote the first time I heard those wonderful choirs led by Dr. Patrick Walders in the new Forbes Center. The title is especially appropriate to resurrect this evening for my dear friends at Edenton Street . . .

Edensong

An after-concert reflection

At the eighth hour

The doors opened to a

Garden of art

Where flowers like notes

Bloomed in exquisite colors

Encompassing the rainbow

From serenity to ashest brown

To sparkling gold

And tender blue.

Hearing each flower bloom

With such pure hues

And delicate shape

I found my soul barefoot

And running free in the

Splendor of the tossing

Vibrations and fragrant wind.

Grand, clanging celebration

Poured glorious light

Into cracks of my tired mind

While precious welcome

Built a spirited house

Of prayer and praise.

Embraced by petal-soft pearls

Of such richness and joy

I noiselessly found my way home

With the fragrance of

Evening song

Lingering

Like a pinned red rose *

On the mantle of my heart.

Nancy Gerst © 2010

 Written after attending the Fall Concert of the James Madison Singers and Chorale

in the new Forbes Performing Arts Center, October 21, 2010, Harrisonburg, VA

*All the seniors in the choir wore a red rose at that concert

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

MUSIC LINKS

Some of the pieces included on the program tonight:

 

Amazing Grace - sung here by Westminster Choir College, James Jordan directing

(At this evening's concert at ESUMC they had a consort of instruments, including Celtic harp instead of piano as is heard on the Westminster video.)

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need - arr. Wilberg, sung here by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

(I was so struck by the final words of this setting of Psalm 23 at tonight's concert:  No more a stranger, or a guest, but like a child at home. In recent months, I have felt like a stranger and a guest so often. That's one of the downsides of interim work. Having my granddaughter here several times recently, I got a perfect visual from her of what it means to be "like a child at home." This is how we will feel in heaven, completely at ease, uninhibited, welcomed, loved ... finally ... home!)

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing - arr. Wilberg, MTC again.

(ESUMC sang the Mulholland setting of this beloved hymn, which was a wonderful end to a lovely concert. In the MTC link here, the ending is so joyous. I love all the bells that the appear in the chorister's hands.)