Voices of the chorus
I have been asked to write the narrative that will accompany the January concert of Waterloo-Wellington Rainbow Chorus. Having come through some exciting challenges recently, such as the trip to Carnegie Hall last February, we decided to concentrate this fall on caring for ourselves. The theme of this program is music of "peace, love and joy." To me it seemed fitting that the narrative to accompany these songs should also look inward.
Today during the lunch break in our all-day rehearsal, we did something we had never done before. Marg and I asked everyone to introduce themselves briefly and tell why they decided to join the chorus, and what it has meant to them. Two members were there when the group was founded in 1994, I joined in 1996, a large portion became involved around 2000, with several members new this season, some just coming out of the closet in their 40s. Even the shiest people put themselves forward and told stories. A clear theme emerged: individuals alone, adrift, and voiceless, finding a community in which they found welcome, belonging, and a voice to the world. Most of us hardly knew any queer people before we joined, and the chorus has become an important aspect of our social lives.
One woman, straight and married with children flying the nest, joined the chorus because she needed music in her life again. It doesn't matter to her that we are a gay and lesbian chorus, she said, her voice cracking: "To me you are just human."
Sharing our narratives seemed to be a moving experience for everyone. I filled seven pages of notes, 37 individual tales besides my own. A clear idea emerged for me today: to take some of these stories, sit down with their tellers, delve deeper, and write a short cycle of poems for a narrator to intersperse with the songs. These are the voices of the chorus.
