Almost one year ago a friend of mine ordered me to “start a blog”. I still don’t know why she thinks (or thought) that I should start a blog, and I think that when I asked her to elaborate her response was “start a blog”. What she didn’t know is that I already had the mechanism set up and functional…years ago. But I hadn’t started.
Ah well. Here’s my first installment.
One of the main reasons that God put me on this planet is to be a choir director…and not just any kind of choir director, a gospel choir director.
Recently I went walking with a choir member, and it became apparent that even though she had been in one of my gospel choirs for more than two years, she thought that I grew up with gospel music. Not true. And I was surprised that she thought this since I am positive that I have said the contrary at least once every year, to comfort and encourage the new members who are unfamiliar with the genre.
After further discussion (mostly in French with some English…like many conversations that take place in this city that I love) her story is that since her first language is French and she’s so tired on rehearsal nights she often doesn’t understand when I speak at rehearsal! Imagine that. She’s missing all my jewels of wisdom.
So here’s the story.
Depending on how you see the world, I fell into gospel music by accident…or by design. I love the line in the movie “Chariot’s of Fire” when Eric Liddell says “When I run I feel God’s pleasure”. That’s how I feel when I direct.
Once upon a time I entered a competition called “Afrofestival”. It was like a “Montreal’s Got Talent” show with participants competing in different artistic domains. This was the first of only two auditions I’ve done in my life…unless the others are in the sea of forgetfulness that protects me sometimes.
I still remember going to the black community center in NDG, the judges seated at a table, and me walking across the wood floor in my high heels to put the cassette with my accompaniment track in the player. Click, click, click, click. Singing my CCM song. No reaction on their faces. Click, click, click, click. Retrieving my cassette. And one of the judges saying something like “Don’t call us. We’ll call you”. When I got out of the building I thought “oh well my Mother loves me”.
Oh well. I did get the call, was part of the show…and won the trophy for best singer. One of the judges was a gospel choir director and the pianist who accompanied me encouraged me to join the church choir she directed. And I did. It was a “why not” kind of decision for me. At the time I wasn’t singing in my church and I thought it would be good to get involved in the black community for many reasons…including the fact that university was done, my career was doing well, and it was time to get married.
I sang in the alto section of that choir for a couple of years and when the director resigned I was asked if I would like to direct the choir. It was another “why not” kind of decision for me. I said yes.
And that’s how I tumbled into directing gospel choirs. It’s also how I met the love of my life. And yes I married him. After he chased me. A lot. And a few minutes ago he kissed me and left for work.
Good going! How can I follow you to not miss a post?
uy yoy. Paulette I see that you have all kinds of nice things on YOUR blog including how to follow. I will contact you for help.
Thank you for sharing!
Interesting… I’m surprised you auditioned only twice in your life. And I remember you mentioning that you did not sing gospel all your life. But somehow it just did not sink in my mind… I guess you are so good at what you do, that it just seemed natural for me to take for granted that you were born in it and that you bathed in it all your life.
Well, you were definitely born for it. Dieu fait bien les choses
I like your writing: it’s simple, light, funny. Please keep sharing your jewels of wisdom! <3
Loved it!! After 14yrs singing under your direction I learned a new thing about you and your journey to becoming a great choir director…
C’est un bon début!
Wow, I don’t think I even knew (or remembered) the story about the Afrofestival. Inspiring! Thank you
I love, love, love, love it !!
Very well written, witty, insightful and just a great read.
Looking forward to reading more.
Love you Carol Bernard. You are a sure gift to this planet!
Hugz
Why not INDEED!
Hi Carol! I love this! Thank you for sharing your story with us. It’s so nice to know people who found their purpose in life. It’s inspiring!
Fantastic!!! I like the way you write.
Amazing to me to know that that choir, the one we sang in together, was your first experience with Gospel music as well… let me add that you did a great job when you took over.
God did indeed put you on this earth for his purposes… Gospel choirs being the best vehicle ever for His plan.
It’s a chance that this person ordered you to write a blog Carol! Many years now that i received a mail to join a gospel choir church from you. It was a particular period of time for me, a very troubled time for me. I knew then that you were a God’s answer for me. My first thought was that singing in french is already not easy , how could i do it in english….. You make things so easy Carol that it would take me a book to let people know how wonderful a person and a choir director you are for so many of us !.I am going to be a passionate reader of your blog.
Nicely done Carol Bernard, nicely done. Continue to let it flow and out will flow your passion, compassion, love for life and love for others. Félicitations.
What a lovely read, I love getting to know people more through any kind of means (taking a class together, over coffee, in a choir, reading their blog). Carol I definitely remember you telling me your audition story during my audition although you failed to mention that you won in the end hahaha all you told me about was how you left feeling terrible.
I love the title “why not”, that’s been a recurring theme in my life, but mine is more “why not me?” Which is how I fell into Gospel and sign language
God is good! Keep writing and sharing please
Xox Liza
I like this post, enjoyed this one thanks for putting up. “I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.” by John Keats.
Pingback: Jay
Good Website.
You are so cool! I do not think I’ve truly read something
like this before. So great to find someone with unique thoughts on this subject.
Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This site is one thing that is required on the web, someone
with a little originality!
Very good blog post.Thanks Again. Cool.