Six choirs. A crowd of choral enthusiasts. Exquisite music. Adoration and art. Inspiring conversations. This, in few words, describes Ohio Choral Connections.
It was a privilege to participate in this first-of-its-kind event. The choir arrived at Legacy Christian School in Sugarcreek, OH just after lunch and spent the afternoon in rehearsal and orientation. The evening began with a choir of handbells, then Oasis took the stage. It has not been scientifically determined whether the choir members or audience members had the greater measure of energy and excitement per capita. The needle arched toward the red zone throughout the evening.
This being the first concert of tour, it felt immensely rewarding to sing for such an appreciative crowd. It also was a comfort to realize that the weekend was not primarily about Oasis, but rather a collaboration and connection with multiple choral bubbles. On Saturday, we basked in the beauty as five other choirs presented mini concerts. Oasis had the unique experience of being “test-driven” by two other conductors, one of them being a current OC singer. They received live feedback from an experienced conductor who was more than happy to step on their toes. Another highlight of the day was breakout sessions, when we could choose to attend either a music reading session, a workshop on exploring breath, or a class on handbell ringing.
To enjoy the gifts of choir and community in this setting was a delight — a real oasis at the front end of tour and a launch pad for our endeavors ahead. Thanks to Franklin Miller and his formidable team of organizers for planning this weekend. We give thanks to our Creator for filling our lives with His goodness. May we reflect Him as we sing.
Matthew Miller
Tenor 2