The rehearsal time was set for 7:00 but many people came in late. Tom started with some sections involving just the orchestra and soloists, so we the chorus were able to "sit down" during that period. I sat on the riser, taking as little space as I could. As others arrived they found places next to us and the risers became fuller and fuller and my sitting became tighter and tighter, to the point where I felt it would have been less painful to stand. My left knee simply does not want to bend that much. It was funny, though, the way the risers filled, rather like a circus trick, how many choristers can fit in a Volkswagen.
After I stood up I did not sit down again. It would have been too difficult, both going down and getting up. Being in one of the back rows made it impossible, also, for me to step off the risers altogether, as those on the lower levels did some of the time. Others did sit down, all around me, during longer sections when the soloists were going it alone. Some of us remained standing, scattered throughout. When a soloist section neared its end and the chorus needed to be ready again, people would rise, making the risers look rather like an opening flower.
The music sounded wonderful. I wish I could have both been singing and watching. There were a few people on the side, watching, and I envied them that experience.
When I am singing I always envy the audience but when I am in the audience I envy those performing. I love being on the stage, being a part of this magical creation, being totally in the moment (these performances are among the times I can focus truly on the here and now). Time slows down, much as it does when one smokes pot, so there is usually plenty of time to sing every note, to watch the nuances in the way Tom directs, honestly to be "one with the music".
We have a final rehearsal at one today. Tom doesn't think it will go over an hour and a half, so I guess I can manage that. Then we will no doubt do final adjustments shortly before the concert tonight.
