Thursday evening - what an incredible experience!

An e-mail from Wishart Bell to me and to all of us who sang and played with Vesper Chorale for the Indiana Choral Directors Association last Thursday evening at the University of Indianapolis:

Wow.

That was the only word one of my colleagues in ICDA (Indiana Choral Directors Association) was able to say after our concert.

Wow.

This person happens to be one of a small number of people whose opinion really mattered to me personally.

Several of us went to dinner later in the evening. I got to the restaurant late, because I hung around and until you had all left, and then went to change. When I walked in, all conversation stopped, and quickly turned once again to the concert and how meaningful it was.

The next morning at our first session, the presenter stopped in the middle of a sentence, turned to me and said "congratulations on such a fine performance." Applause from the conferees. He then developed a detailed list of the artistic elements of that performance, and how they typified the topics of his presentation - beauty, eloquence, and vitality. He also commented on our technical excellence, remarking particularly on our precision and intonation. The conferees showed their agreement with applause. All day I heard repeatedly from individuals about what a great choir you all are.

My personal response to the concert is:

1. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing what you had to do to get to Indianapolis. Many of you took vacation or personal days from work. Thank you.

2. Readers: I found the effectiveness of your quiet, understated readings to be palpable.

3. Soloists: You were all at your finest. That did not go unnoticed by the conferees. I was able to say several times how lucky I am to be able to work with singers of your quality. Bravo.

4. Choir: your nuanced, expressing phrasing, your communication with me during the concert, the level of emotional commitment you made, were, and remain for me, almost overwhelming.

5. Paula and Bev: (celloist and pianist) You were likewise the topic of much conversation - people were aware of the level of your preparation and the depth of your abilities to bring off such quality work.

Kudos to each of you.

I really count myself as most fortunate to be associated with you.

Wishart