First Choir Rehearsal

I just got back from my first choir rehearsal! When I woke up this morning I didn’t know I was going today, but Cassandra sent me a text during my first class saying I was going to meet the director today.

After classes she walked me to the music school (only a few blocks from CEPE) to introduce me to the priest who runs the school and to the choral director. After we were introduced I was on my own. The director (whose name I still don’t know) led me to the classroom where rehearsals take place and sat me down at a desk in the front row. The classroom was already filling up with students and when they saw me walk in they all started going “Sssssssssssss.” At first I thought they were shushing each other but after a whole hour of hearing how they use it, it seems like a bad thing. I’m sure they didn’t mean it in a mean way. The few people I’ve talked to in the choir seem very nice. The girl sitting next to me (Penelope) made sure I knew what was going on and speaks a little English. She gave me her phone number after class in case I had any questions.

We sang through "Kyrie" and "Gloria" and one other but I can’t remember what it was called. I don’t know how long they’ve been working on these songs, but if they were sight reading I’m impressed. We sang through Gloria and the other one in solfege which I caught on to pretty quickly. Overall the rehearsal was easy. I think this will be a good practice for my Spanish and my music reading skills.

The only thing that bothered me was that the conductor kept assuming I didn’t understand what he was saying. In part, that was true, but I got the gist of it most of the time. I think it’s a tendency of the older generation to assume foreigners don’t understand because the students were nice and spoke to me in Spanish. After class I introduced myself to another group of girls and we chatted for a little bit. They are all students at the school for more than just choir, I think. One girl invited me out with them on Thursday, so I’m excited about that. I think I’ll finally start making some Mexifriends now! Rehearsals are every day at 1pm, so I’ll see them all the time.

When I came home and told Tere that I’m in a choir she knew exactly which one I was talking about and told me that Gabi and Pati both studied there. Pati also plays the mandolin. I learn something new every day.

Tonight, Lucha Libre! Time to take a nap.