Twenty years ago, some time in the middle of November a group of youngsters who had left secondary school shortly before went to see their music teacher at her house. After telling her how much they missed music lessons and choir rehearsals from school, they presented their idea of establishing a choir for adults to join, and kindly asked her to take on the role of conductor. She must have been surprised, but she did not refuse her former students' request. When everything was discussed, they all agreed on the date of the first rehearsal. This is how the Ad Libitum Choir was born on 16th November 1991.
I was only one year old then and I had no idea that a choir was formed 30 kilometres away from the village where I lived. Little did I know that it was the choir I would later join at the age of seventeen. Nor could I foresee that this choir would largely determine my daily programmes during my secondary school and university years, with two rehearsals weekly and performances at many weekends. And I could not know how many unforgettable experiences I would have this choir to thank for. They were celebrating their 10th anniversary in the year when my family moved to town – I was eleven and even then I did not know I would celebrate the 20th with them as a member.
Now I am 21, and the choir has just turned twenty. 2000 copies of our new CD have been sent to local shops, ready to be purchased. The exhibition we organized for this occasion will be opened in a few hours' time. The decorations in the concert hall will be put up the day after tomorrow. Two more rehearsals and we will be ready to give our jubilee concert on Saturday. Perhaps the biggest one we have ever held.
Happy birthday Ad Libitum, and may you have many more returns!
No comments:
Post a Comment