What We Go Through for Applause...

For 25 seasons, I've been part of the Cincinnati May Festival, the oldest choral festival in the Western Hemisphere (begun 1873) as a member of the official chorus (founded 1880). This year marks the 26th festival for me. It would have been 28 but I took a couple of breathers along the way since my first festival in 1981.

One of the aspects of the May Festival that makes it unique is that we do five completely different programs in a ten day period. We rehearse along the way during our "other season" (when we're the official chorus of the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops orchestras), but when May arrives, we're in for an intense couple of weeks.

That couple of weeks begins on this coming Saturday, with two three hour rehearsals. Sunday's schedule is pretty much the same, and there are nightly rehearsals Monday through Thursday. Friday is the first performance. Saturday morning, another rehearsal followed by a performance Saturday night. Sunday features a rehearsal and performance, as well. Then it's four more nightly rehearsals, with concerts Friday and Saturday with one final rehearsal Saturday morning.

On Sunday, we all get together and have a big dinner and perform skits for one another, singing even more. Then the withdrawal sets in, and we reacquaint ourselves with our families over the summer -- unless we choose to sing in some optional summer concerts at Riverbend Music Center.

It's difficult to communicate this experience to those who aren't part of this. Families don't get it, for sure. "Not tonight, I have rehearsal," is the common refrain.

So, over the next two weeks, starting Saturday night, I will attempt to chronicle this experience. Stayed tuned. It might be boring, but it's going to be a long haul...

While you wait for the next exciting episode, here's a video of what it's like backstage. It might keep you occupied for a few minutes.