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Retirement and the professional Choral Director

It was an unusual request, but for some reason I said
yes. As the day progressed, students started to come in
the classroom to console him. Just before fourth-hour
class began, I went over to him and asked, “How is
everything going?”
“Not good,” he replied. “Last night my brother
committed suicide.” I was horrified.
“Why don’t you go home to be with your family?” I
responded. He looked me deep in my eyes as tears ran
down his cheeks, took a deep breath, and replied, “I
am with my family.”
As hard as we try, we never really know what is hap-
pening in the lives of our students or adult members
of our choirs. They may be going through troubles we
could never imagine. Perhaps the unifying power of
our choir may be exactly what they need to give them
something to hold on to. Community is sadly lacking
in our world today. We are forgetting what it feels like
to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Several years ago, a friend of mine went directly
from his father’s funeral to a rehearsal of a children’s
choir. It was quieting for his heart. It gave him the op-
portunity to see and work with children. Their bright,
young faces reminded him that indeed there was a
circle of life…that some of us are on the beginning of
that journey, while others are at the end of our jour-
ney. Every second of every day is very special in its
own way.

The Next Chapter
What’s next for me? I think I might write a book.
How about you? Why not take a deep breath and start
the next chapter of your life? This is my challenge to
you, my retired friend, go for it! Do it! Who knows
what might happen? Each of us still has much to offer.
We are all on a journey, and just because we are now
retired does not mean that we cannot continue to con-
tribute to bringing the joy of music to our choir family
as well as to ourselves.
Remember, we ain’t… you get my point. We never
get too old to make a difference!

CHORAL JOURNAL February 2024 Volume 64 Number 6 75