I just listened to a recording of Eric Whitacre’s string transcription of his beautiful song, A Boy and a Girl. (link) It really opened the floodgates for me. I vividly remember being on the stage in Sioux Falls with Iowa State Singers, giving our performance of this then-new piece for the NCACDA regional convention. I can remember feeling like the entire contents of my soul were being spilled out with each word. In any other situation like that I probably would have been curled up on the floor sobbing, but I was so focused on the choir and the music there wasn’t room for anything else. That was one of the top–if not the most–soul-shattering moments I’ve ever experienced.

After the conclusion of our concert that afternoon, we received a standing ovation, which as I understand it is VERY rare at a convention like this. I remember filing off the stage, having to carefully watch my step as my glasses had fallen apart during the warm-up just prior to the concert. I remember the incredible sense of closeness I felt to all of the people in that room as we shared hugs and elations.

I have a recording of that concert. It is really quite a masterful recording of an exquisite performance. I can’t bear to listen to it anymore, because even though I know it’s an excellent recording, it still feels dull and lifeless compared to the memories it evokes.