We slipped into our seats as the steady stream of concert-goers ahead and behind us sought out vacant
spots. The buzz of conversation was like you would expect from a group comfortable in this environment, with many having attended concerts by Nova Voce and the other superb Nova Scotian choirs in this venue and others in Halifax and around the province. People stopped along the way to their seats to touch a familiar arm or murmur a friendly greeting.
I felt a tang of - what would I call it – regret? No. Jealousy? Maybe? Loneliness? Yes. That was it. I was not where I was supposed to be. I should have been back in the waiting room of the church with my comrades-in-song, retying ties, making sure my music was in the correct order, together with everybody quietly confident in the glorious singing that was about to fill St. Andrews.
You see, I am a member of Nova Voce, but I missed all of the 2024 concerts. With family scattered as far away as New Zealand and with Tanya and I finally free to travel, I couldn’t commit to the choir’s schedule of performances.
The December concert was the first time we were able to attend as audience members.
Feeling a little left out, I looked through the songs on the joint Halifax Boys Honour Choir (HBHC) and Nova Voce Seasonal Concert program, noting the familiar tunes. Inside a new feeling was growing, something that could make things better. This was exciting. There was a growing sense of anticipation to hear new songs I had not performed.
The first notes of Once in Royal David’s City brought a hush over the audience as we listened to the beautiful soprano voice emanating from the chancel. I looked to the side aisles. The Nova Voce tenors were lined up on one side, the baritones and basses on the other. There was my spot, right there between Tim and Dan. I forced a smile as I caught Dan’s eye, momentarily sad that my spot in line had closed over, as a wound can be reduced to a faint scar.
I said to myself, “Smarten up David.”
I scolded my self-pity and vowed to sit back and enjoy the concert. First, I watched the smoothly choreographed exits and entrances, the adults giving way to the boys and vice versa. Just like clockwork, the choirs exchanged places and songs … men and boys, with pieces sung from memory, connecting with us, with eyes meeting eyes, and hearts meeting hearts.
Those feelings of regret gave way to that which only a celebration in song can do. I hummed in my head the parts of the repertoire I knew. I marvelled at the Nova Voce sound and the well-trained HBHC voices. Confidence and joy emanated from the stage. The concert was great.
After the performance, as with all the Nova Voce concerts, the choir members came down into the nave to greet loved ones and friends, but also to hear congratulations from complete strangers. Again, I was a little worried about greeting my choir colleagues. Would they remember me? I shouldn’t have worried. I felt right at home.
Walking away from the concert later that evening, I thought about how much I feel a part of this choir. Of course, our mission is to sing, to create magical musical moments, but that is only part of what we know we have. We have a chance to create something unforgettable every time we sing together … a reminder that, even at our age, hard work pays dividends, and perhaps most of all, there is the comradery we get, not only from the singing, but from little things, like quiet conversations about family and life at rehearsals. There is a sense that the world slows down a little, to a pace and a place far better than our regular lives when Nova Voce sings.
The door is always open for you to join us.
David Packer