The "My Solo Was A Disaster" Story

It was an ordinary day.  The offering had just been taken and the choir had just finished their anthem.  The year was sometime in the late 1970s and my dad and I were part of the choir at St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  We both sang bass, with my dad being the bass soloist when needed.  He had been in the choir since his youth and his voice was so mellow that it gave you shivers when he sang.  Our family Doctor, Dr. James Martin, was the tenor soloist.  The anthem for the service today was one of the lesser known parts of Handel's Messiah.  

This old photo shows Dr. Martin in the center with his two sons,
while my dad and I are right rear.  I can't find any photos when
I was in the choir as an adult.  Thank goodness! 

Mr. Frank McConnell, one of the best organists for miles around, had asked if I would enjoy singing the short solo part of the anthem.  Now, I should tell you that I joined the choir as a child when I was 7 years old an he was the organist and choirmaster at that time.  He named me choir master of the youth choir when I was 12 year old, my final year in the choir since my voice was beginning to change.  Well, I was honored to sing the solo today being that no one could touch Dr. Martin and my dad as far a voice quality and showmanship was concerned.  The offering anthem had begun and in a few minutes it came to the part where I would sing my solo.  I was so nervous, but knew I could do it...or so I thought.  I began on the correct key, but before I hit the third line on the page I was lost.  The sweat began to roll down my face and I began to panic.  I couldn't just stop singing...or could I.  Well, Dr Martin, who had perfect pitch, knew I was in trouble so he chimed in and began to sing the correct notes.  It instantly sounded like we were singing a duet and before long the entire choir was singing once again.  I felt so embarrassed!  I mean...like really embarrassed.  No one ever mentioned how awful I was, but I knew they certainly could hear how off key I was that day.  

One of the best on the east coast!

Mr. McConnell never mentioned it to me, but never asked me to sing solo again!  Thank you so much, Mr. McConnell!  It's been close to 25 years since I stopped singing in the church choir, but I still sing along to songs that I recognize on TV or radio.  My wife also sings along and we both have agreed that we will never criticize each other when we both sing along.  Between the singing on the radio and our singing, it really is hard to tell what song is being played and sung!  But, we are having the time of our lives and that's all that matters!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.