My singing history. As I look back over 74 years, or at least as far back as memory takes me, I thought it would be interesting to reminisce about the many times and places singing has taken me.
We were a singing family. In my youth we often went for Sunday afternoon drives in the country. As we traveled we often had time when we all, Mom, Dad, my two siblings and me. The repertoire included mostly old folk songs. Things like The Big Rock Candy Mountain, She’ll be comin round the mountain, and the like.
I don’t remember this but there is a family story that at age 3 I sang with my VBS class, K will. A,e you fishers of men. I do remember singing with my Kindergarten class at a school concert. The first solo I remember singing was for a 4th grade talent show. It was Jimmy Crack Corn.
Throughout grade school I sang in the Jr. Choir at our church. I was proud to be a very high soprano. I thought at the time I was higher than any of the girls or women.
In forth or sixth grade the choir director at the Methodist Church organized an ecumenical boys choir. This was an exceptional feat for such a small town as Bath, New York. If memory serves my there were at least a dozen of us. We performed at various churches and organizations like the Grange and the Masonic Hall.
Growing into Jr.and Senior High I was very active in the choirs and over the years got too participate in regional school choirs as well.
When I became a scout my “career” as a song leader began. At my very first camp out with our troop the Assistant Scout Master asked me to lead a song at the campfire. I explained that I didn’t know any Scout songs. He thought me John Jacob Jinglehimer Schmidt. As that song says “that’s my name too! From then on this was my task with the troop. Later when I became a counselor at Camp Gordon I lead songs in the dinning hall and at campfires.
In high school the choir director mentored me. At every concert I was asked to sing a solo. I learned to sing to the back of the auditorium. To this day I prefer not to use a microphone if the venue makes it possible.
The pinnacle of my High School years was to be accepted into New York State, All State choir. The most memorable part of that experience was singing in the hotel lobby. We were all gathered waiting for transportation to the concert. There were singers all around. So,e and up on the mezzanine, some on the stairway, so,e by the door. It was late November. Someone began to sing the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah. It was not on our program but we all new it. It was like stepping into the set of a musical movie!
When I went to college I not only joined the choir, I also took voice lessons. Sophomore year I was asked to sing in a comic opera composed by one of the professors. The Paranoid Parakeet was a farcical story about a woman who takes her parrot to a psychiatrist. The movel thing was that their were three part. The actors on stage pantomimed, while we singers were in the orchestra pit, and the altar egos of the main characters dance above the players. My main aria was I’ll tell you why I think psychiatry is full of bull.
Another her plus in those years was the choir’s annual tour. We got to sing in some amazing places. On the occasion of the college’s 100th anniversary we sang in New York City at the famous Town Hall. We also went to Washington D.C. and sang at the National Cathedral. It was good to experience the cathedral. However, it was difficult to sing there. Even with a shell the sound just disappeared into the high ceiling. On the same tour we latter sang in a much smaller brick walled church. It was like singing in a stairwell.
After graduation my second position was teaching at a private school Hardwick. Massachusetts. There my supervisor recruited me to lead Eastern Square dancing in his small town. I knew w nothing about calling g Square dance. However, in The Eastern version the caller doesn’t ake it up as he goes along. The songs a scripted and the same every time. I have kept the music and could do it again should the opportunity arise.
A few years went by and at my first full appointment as Rector in Webster Massachusetts Inhad two significant opportunities. I started a Radio Program and included original music played and sung by a trio: Me, my wife and and a member. Me on guitar, my wife on drums and Teddy on bass. The other was sing some of the bass solos for a production of the Messiah.
I took more voice lessons from the choir director at the local Lutheran congregation. With his help I prepared for a solo concert. This turned into an embarrassing event. In all of my singing experience I had little difficulty with nerves. On this occasion it was different. As the concert was about to begin my mouth dried up! It was near impossible for me to sing some of the more difficult songs. The audience was kind but I felt it was a very poor performance.
Next move was to Tucson Arizona. There we had a small group. It was and four women from the congregation. They called us Father Geoff and the Rosaritas!
Next we were in Charlotte North Carolina. I was composing many songs and would often share them at the end of my sermons. Our piano player played by ear. He was a quick study. With just one hearing he would be able to join me and my guitar with additional accompaniment.
Fast forward again to our move to Louisiana and my involvement in Kairos prison ministry. This was new for me to be a part of the ministry band. Sometime I would be the leader. In adE a unique contribution by playing a number of different instruments including guitar, banjo, ukulele, and mandolin.
Interspersed in all this over the years I also sang for weddings and funerals. The most memorable was singing Ave Maria at a wedding. One of my favorite movie scenes is in Chariot’s of Fire. When the hero is asked if his running pleased God he says, “ When I run it gives Him pleasure.” On that occasion I was in near perfect voice. As I sang I thought of that quote. At no other time have I done so well.
So that is a tour of my singing career. I hope you have enjoyed the telling and maybe be inspired to follow your own talents wherever they lead.
If you Landed here first see the rest of the site. Click here
you might especially enjoy the series on Understanding People. Click here to learn more about yourself and others.