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Why We Sing

Dear Friends,

Recently I was invited to speak at a local civic organization. I chose as my topic the reasons people sing in groups such as The Michael O'Neal Singers.  I pointed out that in Gestalt psychology we are reminded that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and that this is certainly true in choral music.

Founder and Artistic Director Dr. Michael O'Neal will lead The Michael O'Neal Singers in the organization's 13th season.

While the individual contributions to a choral ensemble are each significant, the resulting choral sound is more than those combined individual voices. Along with the musical attributes of melody, rhythm , harmony and form that we strive so diligently to achieve in our choral performance there exist also the non-musical considerations of a sense of community, shared purpose, and emotional and intellectual growth. I asked the members of MOS to share with me their reasons for singing and the responses I received were poignant, uplifting, encouraging, supportive and thought provoking. I share with you now a few of those responses:

"I must. I simply must and look forward to Monday evenings with a hundred and fifty plus like minds and souls…I know that there have been many Monday nights that I showed up for rehearsal not in the right frame of mind, but after warming up, things of the outside world seem to just fade away for that short two and a half hours.  And when it is over I feel like a new invigorated person."

"All my life, as a preacher and teacher, I have worked to find words appropriate for my task.  Although words are essential, they are not adequate in getting at the deepest realities of life…I sing because there are those deep realities of the human heart which can be experienced and expressed in no other way."

"There is an almost indescribable joy you feel deep in your soul when you sing.  Most of my adult life I ignored this gift…Now that I am singing again, I don't know how I got through my younger years without it.  I no longer feel the void inside me."

"For reasons which I do not know, and for which I certainly cannot take credit, God gave me a voice that can sing. Not to use it in His praise would be ungrateful.  Not to use it for the immeasurable pleasure I get from it would be a terrible waste."

"As a CIO, I work in an office environment every day and get much satisfaction by using my mind to solve problems.  When I am on the treadmill or lifting weights in the morning, my body is being stressed and it helps me start the day running. When I play golf, and my mind and body work in tandem – I get a lot of satisfaction out of scoring well. But when I sing!  My mind and body work together to produce the correct sound, words and rhythm – but there is an added dimension – my soul.  Singing for me is a total commitment of mind, body and soul – and in making that total commitment I feel renewed."

There is no way I could say it more effectively than these people have expressed it.  Music helps complete us as human beings.  If indeed the soul is an integral, albeit invisible, part of who we are – should we not care about its nurture?  Perhaps the arts provide one of the best ways to provide that nurture. I think the late Robert Shaw, who led the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus to national prominence, and was a model for so many of us in the choral field stated it best. He said, "the arts provide a window through which we can glimpse the divine."  It is my hope that our concerts may help create windows for each of you through which you may glimpse visions of truth, beauty and fulfillment.

All the best,

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