Nothing Left Unsung: Vocology, My Final Bow at Jacksonville University

The Seniors of the Jacksonville University Singers: Caitlin, Cecilia, Dale, Me, Meli, and Mikayla!

Hello hello! ♡

I am filled with a little more tears than normal because yesterday was my final concert as a Jacksonville University Singer, a RiverTone, and an honorary Infinian. It was our final concert of the season, meaning the final performance for our senior class. I was particularly nervous for this concert and I wasn't sure why, but after having the evening to let out my feelings (and eat a lot of ice cream) I realized that it was a mix of being both ready to go and not ready to leave. I loved being in the choirs on campus more than anything, and because of it I've jumped in head first into other choral opportunities in my life.

I didn't know going in to JU that choir would be something I fell in love with. I have choir at JU to thank for my friendships, jobs, and even my relationship. I met my future fiancé on the first day of school...at choir rehearsal. Dr. Bryson, the now solidified leader of the Choral Program at Jacksonville University, started his first day just like us. He put it perfectly when honoring the seniors during the concert...

"These folks are my graduating class because this is my fourth year here, and it feels like they've been here forever. So, it's gonna be really weird next fall when we come back and these people aren't here."

After getting through the concert unscathed, this was the thing that made me cry.

The seniors of the JU RiverTones: Cecilia, Me, Lexi, and Caitlin!

Something else that made not only me but my fellow RiverTones a little more melancholy was that the leader of our pack, Lexi, was sick and wasn't able to perform with us. We dedicated our portion of the concert to her. Professor Dina Barone, our director, asked if I could sing not only mine but her solo on "Somebody to Love", and I freaked out a little. It was meant to be a duet, and at the last minute I had to figure out a way to combine the two parts together to make it a single solo. Wanting to honor some of the improv that Lexi did and adding my own, I took on the challenge and tried my best. We all looked at her and smiled, and we could tell that she wished that she was up there with us. I hope we made you proud Lex, and know that we wanted you up there with us too!

I had the opportunity to conduct "Pandemonium" from the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and it brought me back to when I helped music direct the show in high school! I had so much fun, and seeing the dramatic frustration on my choir's face was absolutely hilarious. They made me laugh a couple times, so they're lucky that the song is in 2/2 the whole time and there's no super important cues (I'm lucky too). ☺

I'm so grateful for my time at Jacksonville University, and will cherish the memories that the choral program has given me all my life. Below is a link to the concert, and I really hope you watch it if you missed it! There's some pretty cool stuff in there.

Nothing Left Unsung: Vocology

Phins up,

Taylor.