Wednesday nights. 7pm. Choir rehearsals. Memories. KNUST. 

Tonight, I celebrate my University Choir family and especially, a man i met in my first year - Julius Richardson; God used him to change my perception about joining a Choir.

At the time I met him, I thought it was 'ok' to be a 'little late' for Choir rehearsals and sing 'just well enough' when singing (because you'd be among others and the song will turn out 'just fine' to listeners). You should have seen the shock on my face when at one of my early rehearsal sessions, one of the 'highly esteemed' alto soloists was about 10 minutes late and was 'punished' to stand for a few minutes. The reason for my shock? - In some choirs, the 'lead singers' are almost 'untouchable'; no one talks about their issues for fear of the choir being 'abandoned'. Not so with the University Choir, KNUST. No one was above the law. We were all equal...bringing Glory to God....singers, soloists, Choir masters, pianists, etc. We were made to understand that we were not doing God or anyone a favour by being in the Choir.

A lesson / value I picked up from 'Choirmaster Julius' in particular was this----God deserves our best. You could hear him say (with his strong voice) while conducting; 'Sopranos, what screeching sound is that?', 'Organist, don't slow me down...this song is supposed to be played faster than what you're playing now', 'Choir, I don't think this song we're singing is pleasing to God...the song is supposed to be sung with joy. We're either singing it or we're not'. His passion for excellence was contagious. God bless you Sir! 🙂

We often associate this scripture with work; 'whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to man'....but it should apply to many more areas of our lives. If we're singing or playing an instrument, God deserves our best. In everything, we shouldn't give Him less than our best! SING! HALLELUYAH!

July 2019 - with 'Choirmaster Julius'

June 2021- with Augustus & Julius