Being a member of a local chorus, that has been directed for the last 10 years by a female director, has been a very unique experience. Unique also, are the comparisons that she often makes about our feminine counterparts (she also directs an all woman chorus). Many, many of the numbers that we perform from our common repertoire allow members to unleash that testosterone vigor in a manner not often available to men in today's society. Our director will often stop the rehearsal to calm us down as we march our way through selections such as "Stouthearted Men", "Who Are The Brave?" or "There is Nothing Like a Dame!" (the later no longer sung by our chorus due to the demeaning lyrics). Often we hear ... "calm down guys" or the standard phrase "you sing a lot better when you sing softly!" Is it the content, style or embodiment of masculinity that sets us off in a bombastic salute? Whatever it is - it is BONDING us together!!! I can only reflect on the very good memories and friends that I have made over the years while singing together as an organized group. Of course, I have performed in SATB choruses and choirs but, the lasting friendships have been established in the all-male venue. Today, I remain in contact with high school buddies that were a part of a men's chorus. I have retained friendships with members who performed side-by-side in our undergraduate Men's Glee Club at Western Michigan University in the late 50's and early 60's. Some are gone now but their memories remain as strong as ever. The natural transition was to alien with Male Chorus in Kalamazoo where we now reside. Again, I have established new friendships in singing for these past 20 years. Weekly I watch our 3 Life members walk in to rehearsal (some with 60 year tenure in the group). HOW GREAT IS THAT? These gentlemen, not always able to keep up with the performance schedule, NEVER miss a rehearsal. Last year on the occasion of one gentleman's 80th birthday I asked him - "Why do you keep coming Charlie?" His reply, in his usual resounding bass was - "Because I can still sing!" While it is always sad to see members leave, for whatever reason, we have bonded together for any number of years and now it is time to move on. But, those memories will always be cherished and hold a very special place in our hearts. Will they regret leaving - probably! But such is life and we move on ... recruiting new members ... and the dream goes on ... to preserve the male chorus sound and to perform it to the best of our abilities for our audiences within our communities.
Sing Out Brothers - In Song!
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Norm Goodling, AMCA President
