there are four

Forrest, Nick,     me    , Colton, Brett

(L to R)

For some strange reason, when it comes to accompanying guys, I have only played piano for tenors. 
Maybe that means something, I don't know.  I guess tenors are just my forte. 
I do know though that the four tenors pictured above are awesome.  And I also know that with each of them I am part of four crazy good teams. 
Two are new, two are old.  Meaning two I have only recently started playing for and two I have been playing with for a while now.
But no matter.  They are all still MY tenors.
Yes, I am slightly possessive, maybe a tiny bit motherly, and totally proud of them. 
Each one is different with varying personalities, which makes my job even cooler.
I appreciate their willingness to work with me and contribute to the collaboration that is a pianist and singer.

Forrest:  Freshman.  Insanely light tenor voice.  Hilarious.  Caring.  Its only been about three weeks that we have been a team, but its a great working team.  I might have scared him in the beginning and he does think I am crazy, but I don't care.  I love that I can tell him to change something or learn something, and it is done.  He is a hard worker and is going to go far in music.  I will never forget the day he came in all excited because he could conduct and "dang, I look good doing it".  LOL
I am also thankful for his caring heart and for the many times he asks "Hannah, how are you?" and means it.  I am so excited for these next years as we grow as a team and friends. 

Nick:  Sophomore/Transfer.  Wonderfully ringing and rich tenor.  Sincere.  Determined. Humble.  It has been about three weeks of collaboration as well, but its awesome.  When this guy sings, its unreal.  He tries so hard... he is a perfectionist in a good way, but so humble.  I appreciate Nick's desire to get it right and understand it.  Consistency is key in music but yet so hard.  He knows that and is constantly working to keep that.  When he sings "Comfort you", I always feel peaceful, legitimately comforted.  Its so cool.  Another great thing about his singing is that he puts emotion into what he does.  He doesn't sing something without thinking about it, it comes from his heart.  I am also thankful for his sensitivity.  He always expresses his gratefulness, something which I don't take for granted.  It means a lot when someone says "thank you" from the heart.  I am thrilled to get to collaborate with a fellow music ed major! 

Colton: Junior.  Multi-faceted tenor.  Passionate.  Committed.  Trying to describe Colton is almost impossible.  He almost always bounces off the walls and is constantly making me smile.  Aside from being one of my tenors, he is also one of my best friends.  This kid never stops trying, is always pushing forward, and constantly looking for ways to improve.  His singing never ceases to amaze me, and even though I love hearing him sing classical, when he sings musical theater, I cry.  Every time.  His heart shines through in his singing.  There is a quote that describes us quite well: "You and I are more than friends.  We're like a really small gang."  That is in height and friendship.  ;)

Brett: Junior.  Rich, wide-ranged tenor.  Loyal.  Three years ago, Brett was my first tenor, I was his first accompanist.  From day one I was blown away by his voice (and the fact he could read music - he still likes to mention my shock when he sang the right notes, haha).  I still am.  After three years, we get each other so well.  I know his strengths, weaknesses and tendencies when singing and he knows what I will do in basically any situation.  A lot of things are unspoken now.  We just get it.  That is one of the beauties of accompanying people for a long time.  I have watched Brett grow from an uncertain, tentative, following freshman, to a strong, confident, well-rounded junior who leads.  I am thankful for his caring spirit, joy, and friendship.   A practice is not complete without a chat about life.  :)

In closing, I can't say enough about how much these guys mean to me.  Its people like them that make what I do so worthwhile. Working with them teaches me so much about music, people, teaching, learning, and collaboration.  But it also gives me some great friendships.  Their encouragement, sensitivity, and care to and for me is precious and priceless.  I am beyond blessed.

p.s. Post coming soon on my MEZZOS!!!!

As when you belong

I looked down the line of singers, faces barely lit by the faint glimmer of the candles held in their hands... the room dark, still, peaceful, waiting.
The air was heavy with expectancy as the audience waited to listen to our next song. 
The first notes of the altos floated throughout the room, filling every space, reaching every ear, touching every soul. 

Sometimes you have moments of an extreme sense of belonging, of knowing without a shadow of a doubt that you are in the right place.  This moment was one of them.  Hearing, participating, giving music together... oh, that is precious. 

Nothing quite compares to the beauty found in the unity of a choir.  In the joy of a choir.  In the energy, presence, and camaraderie. 

In that moment, I was filled with such joy and pride and sadness and longing and peace.... it hit me that one day, in the very near future, these moments would end.  The next season of life would begin, no more choir like that.  For a split second my heart sank in complete desperation to hang on tightly to every moment.  But then I realized, I have memories, and friendships, and experiences to remind me of the beauty of those moments.  Once finished, those moments still affect, still comfort, still energize. 

And so, I know that those moments remind me to cherish every rehearsal, concert, and choir member even more. 
Thank you Concert Choir for bringing beauty and joy to my life.  I have so much love for you.

"I'm holding on to Your promises"

Music.  It is one of my most favorite ways to worship Jesus.  Playing, singing, listening... it constantly reminds me of who He is.  Sometimes a song comes out that seems to be written to specifically encourage and challenge me. 
Chris Tomlin's new song "Whom Shall I Fear" has been one of those songs.  The words are life-giving reminders.  Every time I listen to it I am moved to tears by the immensity of God's love and faithfulness.  His promises are wonderful.  He is right there for me... right there for me!  Wow!  I am a victorious and loved saint... I have been blessed with weapons to fight, I have the greatest Leader with me.  This life is temporal.  But God and who He is... the vast, immeasurable, glory of His nature.... are eternal.  Thank you Jesus.

"You hear me when I call

You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear?

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though trouble linger still
Whom shall I fear?

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding on to Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful"

Chris Tomlin's "Whom Shall I Fear"

Soldiers... they fight

Desolate, bleak, lonely... these were the words that came to mind as the soldier looked at the scenery around her.
Dried blood matted with dirt streaked across her face, the results of a scuffle with the enemy a few days earlier. 
The soldier was well-equipped with weapons: a sword, knife, bow and arrows; had a muscular build for her small stature, and a determined look about her.  Despite the dirt and blood, youth and energy radiated from her face. 
Although she had been a soldier of the King for many years, it was only recently that she had begun to fight.  After many years of training, preparing, learning she had decided it was time.  Time to step out and fight the enemy.  She knew that there were certain things she could only learn on the battlefield, and avoiding the enemy would not be fulfilling the mission the King had called His soldiers to.
She had been assigned on a rural mission with just a couple other soldiers.  None of them had ever been on the battlefield, but despite this she was the most experienced.  They had been commanded to split up a few days ago and to just keep traveling and fight whatever enemy they encounted along the way. 
As she pondered the last fight, she shuddered at the thought of what was to come.  Two days ago she had been walking along a path in the woods, when she encountered one of the enemy sitting down eating.  Their scuffle had been quick, but painful.  The knife wounds still stung... the enemy was good.  But she was better, her training had been thorough.  The King personally trained each soldier, teaching them His tactics and secret tricks, growing their confidence, admiration and loyalty every day. 
She looked down at her arm, the deep gash was healing quickly.  The gash on her face not so much.  With a slight sigh, she began walking again, careful to not rustle the branches too much for fear the enemy would hear.  After a few hours of creeping along the mountain, she realized something.
Not allowing the enemy to see her was disobeying the King.  He had told her to go out and fight, hiding was giving the enemy victory. 
Slowly she stood up, a new light in her eyes, a slight flush creeping across her cheeks... she knew what she had to do. 
Calmly she walked forward and began to sing a song, a song about her King, about His love, mercy, wrath, beauty.  Her eyes were alert as she sang, watching for signs of the enemy that she knew were everywhere. 
Suddenly, the bushes began to rustle everywhere around here, on either side, in front and behind.  Terrified she stopped singing, her hand resting tensely on her sword. 
Then she saw them... they surrounded her.  More enemy that she had ever seen.
Fear began to creep into her mind, numbing her senses, her feet felt heavy.
She looked around for an escape route, but there was none.  Only one option, fight.  She would not die.  That was impossible.  The King had told her that whatever mission He sent her on, there was one sure thing: she would not die.  But He could not gaurantee that she wouldn't be hurt, in fact He said that it was very likely she would get hurt a lot and often her wounds would be serious. 
His words flashed across her memory "My soldier... I have trained you.  I have made you into the soldier you are today.  Without Me you would be able to do nothing.  Do not fear My dear soldier, I have trained you for a great purpose.  You will go out into enemy territory and fight for my honor.  Do not forget to call out for Me, because I will be there in spirit.  Let the enemy know my greatness and love. My soldier, I am proud of you, fight well.  Fight hard.  Fight honorably.  But FIGHT." 
She remembered the fire in His eyes when He said these words, she remembered the day many years ago when the King found her along the side of the road, a starved, broken child of the enemy.  She remembered His gentle touch, loving care, and life-giving words.
She would fight.  Not for herself.  But for her King.
With a flash of shining metal she whipped out her sword and dove for the closest enemy, a song on her lips, a compassionate fire in her eyes.  The next two hours were like hell... she fought long and hard.  The enemy kept coming, cunning in their tactics, ruthless in their attacks, and deadly.  There were moments she thought she would not make it, but the image of her King was constantly in the forefront of her mind.  And so she fought on, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that her King was watching, giving her strength, and protecting her. 

 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12