Reflecting…
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Location: Juniata College
Task: Reflecting
Result: Nostalgia
Our last concert was simply indescribable. I’ve never felt the way I do towards this group as I do this year. Everyone put their all into the repertoire, never holding anything back. And yes, I finally cried during ‘Set Me.’ It took four years, all the way to the very last concert, for me to finally reach that moment where I looked around me and realized my unique and special a situation. Everywhere I turned my head during that last concert showed me friends, both currently in choir and graduated. I thought about the relationships I formed with those people because of this group, and how many different ideas, experiences and friendships I’ve had over these past four years.
I looked at Russ and thought about the profound change that man has sparked within me, and how I’ve evolved from receiving the Diaper Award as a freshman to the Bass Section leader as a senior.
Before the concert, Russ had the freshmen and seniors stand up and give one word that they believe summed up this choir tour. I chose the word ‘residual,’ because I believe that these experiences will remain within me. I will continue to use what I learned from them for my entire life, and always have a family to whom I can turn.
A good portion of my Juniata experience has been invested in singing and being in the choir, and this last concert only reminded me that I soon must take the next step away from Juniata and away from my beloved friends.
Special thanks to Jay-Tro for organizing this stop. It was amazing to see him again, and what a spectacular place to wrap things up. The food was great 
Juniata and the Choir have certainly left their mark on me, set their seal if I may…
One to go…
Saturday, March 8th, 2008
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland
Task: Blog.
Result: We lose one hour tonight?!?!
Today was phenomenal. So far we’ve sung for a brand new Brethren congregation in Cincinnati, a Brethren church in Richmond in need of support, and today we were the inaugural concert for a brand new Catholic church in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
These people were SO exited to have us. The meal and the hospitality presented by both the congregation and the host families was too kind and very flattering. We attended Mass this evening, as the Church choir was excited to sing for us before we sang for them. Owen, Angela and I, representing the Catholic demographic in the choir, got to take the gifts up to the alter, and the priest made sure to point out our formal wear to the rest of the congregation.
The space was astounding. It was the first church we’ve sung in so far this tour that gave back as much sound as we put out. This posed a few challenges in keeping tempo and a sharp eye on Russ, but I think we all handled it very well.
Big shout out to Jodi Reiter for organizing this venue. She also hooked us up with really sweet host families as well. I just finished up a wonderful bout of conversation over some drinks with Casey, Travis and our host family, Katie and Dave. We sat down and chatted for over 2 hours about things such as studying abroad to family to Juniata. It was quite enjoyable. The people we meet on tour, who willingly open their homes to us, are infinitely interesting and kind…What would we do without people like that?
Anyhow…the concert was exciting. There were plenty of Juniata Alumni at this one, including David Meadows and Katie Dickey, the young, hip stars of the Alumni House at Juniata.
Tomorrow we head our early for a very busy day and our last concert before ending up back at Juniata for the evening. This whole thing has gone by so fast. It seems that just yesterday we had departed for West Virginia. Aaaaah, I don’t want it to be over!
Oh, and special shout out to Mr. & Mrs. McVicar…thanks for reading the blog ☺
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