Let me be clear–our Epiphany Festival was lovely. The music and scripture and readings fit, we sang well and a wonderful time was had by all. It is the journey and along the the way, the epiphany I had during the journey, that I am blogging about here.

Music directors begin a journey every time they plan for a concert or worship service. We plan the music, and in the case of a service of lessons and carols, the readings as well. We choose, or should choose, music appropriate for our musicians. We must plan how to teach and rehearse the music so the end result is worthy of having people come and hear–or worship–with us.

Some times, the rehearsal period brings us “surprises”. We had a core group of singers who came to almost every rehearsal, through the summer and the fall and who were the “rocks” this Fest was built on. I cannot express how much I am grateful to them and their beautiful voices and talents! The surprises came in the form of challenges we faced. We had people drop out because of H1N1. We had a bass with an emergency root canal and other goofy stuff and yet, this was a service of true beauty.

Such events come together, sometimes, at the last minute. I must remember that, the next time all things seem to go ka-flooey!