Leslie Karst

Sing Your Heart Out

Three weeks ago I had the honor of singing one of the most beautiful pieces of choral music ever written, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s glorious Requiem in D minor.

our concert flyer

Those familiar with my Sally Solari mystery series know that this composition holds a special place in my heart—so much so that the second book in that series, A Measure of Murder, centers on this mysterious piece of music. Mysterious because not only was it commissioned anonymously (by an unscrupulous baron who intended to pass it off as his own), but also because Mozart died before he could finish the work, and it is still unknown to this day who exactly had a hand in completing the requiem mass.

I came to choral singing relatively late in my life, after years playing clarinet in high school and university orchestras and bands. But when I did finally join a chorus—the Cabrillo College Symphonic Chorus in Santa Cruz County, led by the marvelous Cheryl Anderson—it was as if I’d finally found the answer to a need I hadn’t even realized I had.

Requiem rehearsal with Santa Cruz Symphony director Danny Stewart

One of a musical community. Of being one voice among many, singing our hearts out in a shared passion for the master works of choral music.

selfie with my fellow altos, some years back

Don’t get me wrong. As I’ve said many times, the mystery writing community is one of the most warm, generous, and welcoming groups of people I’ve ever had the good fortune to be involved with. But other than those few times a year when we gather for conventions, conferences, or festivals, most of us lead a pretty solitary life as writers. And when we do gather, it’s not generally about making art together—it’s about sharing our stories of writing, which we tend to do alone in front of our computer screens or writing tablets.

When you’re a member of a chorus, however, it’s as if you’re an integral part of one giant organism, where each person is vital to the completion of the whole. And when you stand in the middle of over a hundred others as they raise their voices together in song, the electrical charge that passes through your body is unlike any other experience in life. (The hair is standing up on my neck right now as I write this, simply reliving that moment in my mind.)

photo of our concert taken by Laura Karst, with yours truly having her moment of fame on the big screen

Especially when it’s the magnificent Mozart Requiem that those hundred voices are bringing to life. Now, three weeks later, it’s still a magnificent ear-worm in my head. May it continue to do so for weeks to come. (If you’d care to listen/watch, here’s a short sample of that marvelous piece.)

Readers: Is there an activity in your life that gives you a similar feeling to what the chorus gives me?

23 thoughts on “Sing Your Heart Out”

  3. OMG, Leslie, how extraordinary! I’m sure you’ve just described a sensation every chorale singer can relate to. I have to forward this to friend who sings with one here.

    I don’t know if I’ve ever had the sensation you describe. I do know that dancing gives me a special feeling of joy and release I don’t get from anything else. Other things make me happy, of course. But nothing else gives me that particular feeling.

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    1. Dancing–especially when you’re doing it in a crowd of people–is definitely similar, as you’re all on the same wavelength, in sync, sharing the same passion for the music and movement.

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  4. Wow, Leslie! How amazing!

    Also an alto here! I’ve been in two choirs (one at summer camp & one in college), and I do love that sweet meshing of voices. I also tried out for a cappella once—but didn’t make the cut. 🙃

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    2. Amazing, Jen! I had no idea you were a singer. Hmm…maybe you and Leslie can perform at a future Chicks reader ARC! Marla, bring your ukulele. I will applaud everyone from the sidelines.

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  5. I too share a love for choral singing. I sang in school choirs, church choir and now also sing with the Old Sturbridge Village Singers at our local historical museum. It is a wonderful experience and uplifting to the soul. I’m glad you get to be a part of it. PS I am also an alto, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Mozart!

    Carol

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      1. I have to wonder whether there’s a correlation between writing about murder and mayhem on the one hand, and singing alto on the other. (Having sung in a lot of alto sections, I’m not inclined to discount the theory altogether;-) )

        —JKB

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        1. Ha, I was reacting to Carol’s comment re: Old Sturbridge Village singers. Sturbridge is the town—a childhood stomping ground.

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