Reflections on the Bluegrass Mass

We recently performed A World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass in the midst of a February snowstorm.  One of our hardy concert-goers wrote the following testimonial.

It was a week ago and the snow was a magical gift. Within that gift, I experienced a greater gift. We decided that one car on the road was more than adequate so I came too, at 1:15.  I climbed to the balcony with my book and was prepared to read as the chorus rehearsed.  Very quickly I realized that I had the opportunity to observe the passion of the chorus as they responded to you and the fine tuning of various parts of the music. As you directed with focus and purpose as well as an obvious love for the music and the individuals, I became enthralled with the process. 

What was to come, the full run-through of the piece, was beyond adequate description. With no audience, there was a relaxed calm, a pulsing energy, an astute focus and a love for what each was doing as an individual and as a whole. The snow came down outside, the hall was silent, no rustle or shifting, no cough or blown nose... an ethereal atmosphere. The music flowed with a luminescent energy that embraced my heart and soul. Did I breathe? I do not think so. Chorus, conductor and music were as one, bound together by that which is greater than all. It was a rare experience for me and one that I will never forget. I tried to find words to tell him. There were none that felt adequate.

Thank you.