By This past weekend (Friday night and Sunday afternoon) I participated/sang my heart out in RUMC’s Patriotic concerts. This was the 43rd year of production – every year June since 1981! I hope it is a tradition that continues. It would be neat to see how the concert has evolved over time. I found the 2022 performance here. The 2024 concert is here. If they post the recording to youtube, I’ll adjust the links. This year’s concert was a nice blend of Patriotic music and Broadway music. As a theater lover (on stage or in the audience), I enjoyed the spice that the Broadway tunes added! For me the most touching moments are 1) the Armed Forces Salute, during which veterans and active duty military are asked to stand during the playing of their branch’s song and 2) the song The Folded Flag, which praises/acknowledges those who sacrificed their lives for our country. It’s hard to not get choked up with emotion when you think of the men and women who serve bravely.
We’ve been practicing these pieces since the April (as soon as Easter concludes, our focus shifts). Unless you’ve been in a show, you don’t know all the preparation involved. The Worship Arts staff have been planning this concert (what to perform and in what order, who to sing, etc.) probably since last year, but at least since January. Rehearsals once a week won’t get you to the level of performance that is needed. All of the singers and orchestra members practice on their own (some more diligently than others). And then you have lighting, sound, video, ushers, parking assistants. It takes an entire crew of non-singers to support the singers.
I am SO grateful for all who support the arts in any capacity. And I’m especially grateful for my siblings and their spouses (and children) who were able to attend. They all have been Mary cheerleaders for my entire life!
Now it is the day after and I have the post performance blues (actually started yesterday following the Sunday performance). I know that this feeling happens to me at the conclusion of every show or concert series and yet I didn’t prepare for it. I actually just did a google search…and now know it isn’t just me! My mind and body are tired and purposeless. I like how that article referred to it, Post Performance Hangover. I used to beat myself up about these feelings. Now I give myself grace. The best part of Mary 2.0 is that I’m kinder to myself.
And if you find yourself being melancholy after a performance (and I would include after a go-live with a client, for my RIMS implementers), acknowledge your emotions and know that they are real. Listen to your body and give yourself time to recover!
Photos from practice this year
And after performance last year
