Choir

I participated in the St. Olaf Choral Festival last year as one of the many high schoolers who admire the wonderful musicians at St. Olaf.This year I finally became a part of the St. Olaf choral ensemble, singing proudly. Dr. Armstrong, our director, made a speech at the end of rehearsal that really struck me. He said that he had friends who lived in South America got injured because of their intention and efforts to vote. And we, as Americans, who have the right and privilege to vote, should feel blessed, and therefore should cherish the opportunity to vote and to care about our country. Everyone matters in this nation. He also said that having lived through the civil right movement, he wouldn’t stand over here conducting fifty years ago. Choral day is when choirs from high schools, churches, and communities all came to St. Olaf to experience the greatness of music. I am proud and thankful that I can sing in one of nation’s finest choirs, but I also know from Dr. Armstrong that there were small choirs with only twelve people participating in this festival. Even though it seems impossible to run a choir with these few people, they came and sang with a full heart and they were happy to have what they have. This really made me think: we all have passions, and sometimes even though it takes a lot of hard work to pursue, there is great joy from little things that we’ve done.