The "I Try To Hit The Notes As Close As I Can" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Beautiful sunny day on the campus of Woodcrest Villa in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  I had just returned home to my villa after a short choir practice at the auditorium since the choir director had another appointment to keep.  When my wife Carol and I moved to Woodcrest Villa a few months ago I decided to join the choir.  I was a member of St. James Episcopal Church choir for years, but after the director, Mr. Frank McConnell retired I also gave up singing in the choir.  I first joined the St. James boy's choir when I was 8 years old and could read music.  The boy's choir was one of the best known in Lancaster County and had close to two dozen members.  I sang soprano when I first joined, but eventually ended up singing alto when my voice began to get lower.  At about the age of 12,  I left the choir since most all the members were younger and I felt out of place.  My father had been a member for as long as I could remember and when I entered college he talked me into returning to the adult choir which consisted of both men and women from about 16 years old to...well as long as you could stand and walk down the church aisle.  We sang at church services as well as weddings, special programs and even funerals.  When my children became old enough to join the choir, we sang together for a few years.  I eventually left the choir when Mr. McConnell retired.  Family activities demanded so much of my time that I didn't have time to go to choir practices anymore.  Well, it seems that it has come full circle and I thought I would now enjoy singing in the Woodcrest Villa adult choir.  It consists of both men and women who live at Woodcrest Villa homes and apartments.  It looks to be about 30 members strong with both men and women singing soprano, alto, tenor and bass parts.  I have been a member for only a few weeks now, but find I enjoy both the singing and the people who form the choir.  I sing bass with about a half other men.  We haven't performed a concert as of yet, but will do so in the near future.  I'm still learning the music, but find I can handle my part without too much trouble.  And, if I happen to hit a wrong note no one will never know since the pianist covers for us when she plays along.  And, when I look around and see how old everyone else in the auditorium looks, I feel right at home.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.