Friday, 29 September 2006

Conducting Pancakes!

Today wasn't as nearly as bad as it could have been. Having read all the material for class for the first time (shh, don't tell anyone), I was more than prepared to take on Dr. Powers's tough questions in Bib Lit. Maybe I should do some catching up this weekend, among the myriad things I have to do at home.

I'm not feeling as upset about that first Conducting test. 20/25 isn't a bad start and it's right about where everyone else is. Ordinarily I wouldn't be happy to be middle-of-the-pack, but right now I'm more than happy with that, considering how new I am at conducting. Watching the Symphonette rehearsal today with Chelsea also made me realize something about studying conducting. As a conductor, my sense of what is "right" or "good" and what is "wrong" or "bad" can be incredibly relative. Regardless, I think my instructor's methods are right on target, or at least they're logical enough to me. Dr. Richmond couldn't have earned a DMA in choral conducting if he didn't know what he is doing. More importantly, it's some of the best I've seen from anyone-I still don't quite understand how Dr. Richmond makes everything so expressive. I'd love to be able to do that some day. In the meantime, I'm excited enough just to be finally learning how.

I guess I should have seen it coming. After missing a day of Chapel Choir (the third time that's EVER happened in my Chapel Choir career), I got the same reaction as last time. In case you the reader are not familiar with this process, here's how it worked this time.

1. Tyler misses a Chapel Choir rehearsal for Reason X, which is understandable and merits excuse. In this case, it was a horrible cold involving congested sinuses/nasal passages, sore throat, and general "yuck" feeling. Dr. Richmond everything but ordered me to bed.
2. Tyler feels better the next day and goes about his business as usual. No one says much until 4:15 (approximately) rolls around.
3. Tyler waits in the lobby of Nykerk with everyone else, actively conversing with friends.
4. Peter enters the lobby and sees Tyler.
5. The following conversation ensues:
   Peter: I thought you DIED!
   Tyler: What gave you THAT idea?
   Peter: Because you NEVER miss Chapel Choir! It's only the second time you've ever missed!
   Tyler: Actually, it was my third.
   Peter: Well where were you?
   Tyler: I was sick in bed and asleep.
   Peter: See?! You were sick in bed! You NEVER miss; I thought you died. We all thought you died!
   Tyler: Everyone? Are you SURE?
   Peter: Yes! We all thought you were dead!
6. Tyler, obviously concerned about Peter's enormous surprise to see him alive and well, gives him a hug and offers this reassurance: "Don't worry Peter, I didn't die. I'm feeling much better today and I'm here for Chapel Choir."
7. The two move to Wichers Auditorium with everyone else and Peter loudly proclaims, "Look! He's alive!" Tyler is not surprised when the litany starts all over again when Paul, Peter's younger brother with similar appearance and personality, says to Tyler, "Wait, I thought you were dead." Jeff then says to Tyler, "You're alive!"
8. Tyler then sighs happily to himself and realizes that it's good to be missed.

Secondary Choral Methods wasn't too bad, either. Since everyone had to conduct "Feller From Fortune," we all cheered one another on. Prof. Oonk even said no one was below a 95, so that made me happy. But the best was still to come.

I hadn't ever been on an iHOP run before, to my great sadness. Not having a car may have had something to do with it, but it may also be that I'm a little more involved in doing stuff with my friends this year, thanks largely to dropping down one credit this semester, dumping Student Congress, and greatly reducing my responsibilities to D.O. and the Music Department. I have a life again!

And yes, iHOP run tonight! The small-group Studs reunited again for an iHOP run, adding a new freshman that we'll call "Ross" because that's his name. Yes, he's a winner-new Bible Stud, show choir geek alumnus, and the girlfriend goes to my brother's alma mater, North Park University, the Swedish younger cousin to Hope College. Spending time with those five guys over some delicious breakfast food was great. It brings out the weird in everyone, and speaking of weird... I'm still not sure how this happened, but just as we were ready to order, a drunk short guy (a midget) and a drunk woman wearing fishnet stockings and police hat stumbled in. The night continued to get crazier until we finally decided it was time to leave. When the waitress was ringing up the tabs, I showed her my student ID (yeah 20% discount!), to which she said, "That's not you."

"You're right, it's not. It's me 2 years younger and 40 pounds heavier."

I've never had that happen before, but I guess having shed that much weight, I was asking for it. After roaring back to Hope in Brandon's car (careful folks, he's a fast driver), we bid each other goodnight with an abundance of hugs and promises that we'll do this again. Why? Because it's fun, it's good to do stuff together outside the context of the Bible study itself, and because iHOP is tasty. I love the Bible Studs.

Comments(1)

The proper response to someone accusing you of being dead is...
"I'm NOT dead YET!"

chickenlittle27