Last night was the first rehearsal for the 2003/04 season of my church choir. It was also significant from the standpoint that it was my first time back with the choir after a four-month sabbatical from the church. Every year I go through the “pre-season dread” about starting up, getting anthems picked, having to go to choir rehearsals on Thursday nights. But every year, after the first rehearsal, I have the same sense of exhilaration of the music-making that my choir accomplishes.

This Fall we have everything from Purcell to Messiaen’s “O Sacrum Convivium.” Last night we read through the Messiaen piece. It went surprisingly well for such odd rhythms and harmonies. We are not at the place of singing it a capella yet, but I think it’s doable.

I was both exhausted and exhilarated by the end of the evening.