One, two, three ... do, re, me

By Gina Farthing

Published: September 13, 2008

Getting to the Waynesboro Choral Society’s rehearsal room takes a bit of mountain climbing experience.
At Main Street United Methodist Church, it is seemingly up in the clouds — a few flights of stairs — kind of like the nosebleed section at a concert hall. Up and up you climb until you hear the faint sounds of a piano being played along with myriad voices that get louder with each step you take.
Through a window in the door you see an unassuming thin man, wearing glasses and waving his hand around. He’s counting, “One, two, three, four.”
The choir sings scales to his beat.
The man motions you to come into the room.
You step in and gaze upon what seems to be a full room of people you hadn’t seen before, due to the door window’s allowance of only a small view. And they’re all looking at you.
“Tenor or soprano?” the man asks.
He is, it turns out, Donald Coffey, the director of the Choral Society. And tonight is tryout night for possible new members, along with practice for the group’s sacred concert.
Rehearsal begins again.
“One, two, three, four,” the man says. “Nice ladies. The words are important. We need to hear the ‘S’ so it’s ‘still’ not ‘till.’ ”
The next song, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” begins.
It’s a lively, positive tune and the choir puts forth a bold, powerful sound. The bass section really stands out.
Then it hits you.
It’s like listening to a choir of angels. You can hear all the parts — the tenors, altos, sopranos, with the basses seemingly supporting all those voices atop the low, rumbling base.
If you close your eyes, you can faintly see the wings on each of the choir members as they, each in their own key, fill the room with happy melodies.
This choir isn’t like the chorus some people might remember from elementary school. They’re not embarrassed at all to be singing.
They sing out to be heard.
It’s powerful singing.
It reminds you of epic movie scores like the “10 Commandments,” or “King of Kings.”
It’s a jovial group. There are members from various age groups, but mostly they appear to be 30-40ish. Between pieces they smile a lot, laugh, take sips of water to wet dry mouths and gently murmur amongst themselves.
Though the Choral Society performs a sacred concert and a Christmas concert, their purpose is not religious, says Coffey.
“We perform and entertain,” Coffey says of the group’s secular and family-oriented repertoire.
“Our Christmas show has Frosty and Santa in the first half. It’s for everyone.
“We have one member who is a Jewish doctor who sings and doesn’t back off the words.”
The choir’s song list this day is all about God, giving up one’s will to follow, making sacrifices and living for Him.
“New key, thank goodness,” as Coffey directs the choir through another set of lyrics.
“Energy ladies,” says Coffey. “Nice, four, one.
“And three and four and one, fellas,” and the men’s voices boom in like thunder from heaven.