This summer, I have the privilege of standing in front of nearly 150 singers as we engage in another season of The Michael O’Neal Summer Singers. Looking across the rehearsal room, I see people whose paths might never have crossed were it not for music. Teenagers sit beside retirees. Experienced musicians share a row with singers who simply love to sing and are eager for a new challenge. About half of the chorus does not regularly sing with The Michael O’Neal Singers, so this summer has brought many new faces, new friendships, and new stories.
What makes this chorus especially rewarding is that it is open to anyone who wants to be part of the experience. Unlike our auditioned chorus during the regular season, the Summer Singers welcomes people with a wide range of musical backgrounds. We ask only that they come prepared to learn, work hard, and enjoy the journey. We rehearse serious music, but we never lose sight of the joy that comes from making it together.
As rehearsals unfold, something remarkable begins to happen. Individual voices gradually become a chorus. Singers who were strangers on the first evening begin greeting one another like old friends. Confidence grows with each rehearsal, and passages that once seemed difficult begin to sound natural. There is a quiet satisfaction in watching people discover that they are capable of more than they imagined.
I have often thought that a community chorus is one of the best examples of what a healthy community can be. Our singers represent different generations, professions, personalities, and life experiences. We undoubtedly hold different opinions about many things, but those differences are not what define us once rehearsal begins. Instead, we are united by a common purpose: to create something beautiful through music.
That shared purpose changes the atmosphere in the room. For 2½ hours each week, we set aside many of the concerns that occupy our daily lives. Our focus shifts to listening carefully, blending our voices, and helping those around us succeed. Choral music has a wonderful way of reminding us that listening can be every bit as important as singing. The finest choirs are built not on outstanding individual voices, but on singers who understand how their contribution fits within the larger ensemble.
Perhaps that is one reason community choruses continue to be so important. In a world that often seems to emphasize what separates us, singing together reminds us of what we share. We learn to trust one another, encourage one another, and celebrate accomplishments that belong to all of us rather than to any one individual. Those lessons extend well beyond the rehearsal room.
Of course, there is great satisfaction in presenting a successful performance. After weeks of rehearsals, it is deeply rewarding to share the music with an audience. Yet I have come to believe that the real value of a community chorus is found in the journey rather than the destination. The concert lasts only a brief time, but the relationships that are formed, the confidence that is gained, and the sense of belonging that develops often last much longer.
Over the years, I have watched countless singers discover abilities they never knew they possessed. I have seen lasting friendships develop. I have watched younger singers learn from those with decades of experience, while older singers have been energized by the enthusiasm of the next generation. Those moments remind me that the true success of a community chorus cannot be measured only by the quality of its performance. It is also measured by the community it creates.
That is why I continue to believe so deeply in the value of community singing. Certainly, we strive for musical excellence, and we work diligently to present performances that inspire our audiences. But along the way, something equally important happens. We discover the satisfaction of working toward a common goal, the joy of encouraging one another, and the fulfillment that comes from contributing our individual gifts to something larger than ourselves.
Each summer, as I watch this remarkable group of singers grow into a unified chorus, I am reminded why community music has remained such an important part of my life. We come together from many different places, carrying different experiences and perspectives, yet we leave having created something that none of us could have accomplished alone. In the process, we discover that the music is only part of what we have made together. We have also built a community, and that may be the most beautiful harmony of all.
