Saturday, 01 December 2007

Last Vespers... and I still love it

My fourth and final round singing Christmas Vespers at Hope College begins today.

It's hard to imagine how many people have been a part of this tradition over the years. It's loved by a great many people, which obviously explains why we put so much work into it and why there's so much interest.

And on top of that, they are considered Chapel services. The Gathering ceases because of Vespers.

Maybe that's why I'm so bothered when I hear colleagues in the Music Department dare to say they "hate" Vespers. Yes, I'm wiped out by the end. Yes, it's a great deal of work to prepare. Yes, we all grow tired of one another. And yes, Dr. Richmond and Mr. Piippo get very hard to deal with by the end.

But I still love it.