Barbershop to Beethoven!

"Wendy is first on the left in the first row behind the orchestra."

… Overwhelmed to Overjoyed (Freude! as He himself would say).

While classical music isn’t really my style, when an opportunity to sing with the Ottawa Choral Society for the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s presentation of Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony arises, who passes that up? 

In merely 16 days, with just 9 rehearsals, 118 singers accomplished what initially seemed impossible, learning the notes and words to what we commonly know as “Ode to Joy”, but in German.

After listening engrossed as the orchestra played the first 3 movements of Beethoven’s 9^th, it all came to fruition as we stood together (our only choreographed moves: Sit & Stand) at just the right moment to sing our part in the 4^th movement.  The anticipation of being on stage with the orchestra in front of a sold-out crowd of 2065 people was worth the wait.  

Lasting just 17 minutes, it was such a rush of energy and power that the time flew by. For the standing ovation of over 6 minutes, it didn’t once occur to me that my feet hurt; the roar of applause & the cheer of approval for our performances were worth everything!

(I only missed one BBS rehearsal).

Wendy Hall