By Joe Fiechtl
July 10
For two of our Senior Choristers this trip to Wells is the capstone of a 13-year experience singing in Trinity’s youth choirs. Christmas Eve, Easter, Evensongs, Advent Lessons and Carols, Sunday morning services, Duke University’s RSCM, Trinity’s Summer Choir Camp – one or both of them have been there singing. Meanwhile, they have become best friends. Evelyn Boody and Isabelle Fiechtl (my daughter) shared some thoughts on being here in Wells.
Comparing their past experiences to singing in Wells Cathedral, Isabelle said “the only thing close would be Duke Chapel.”
“We’ve sung in a cathedral before,” Evelyn added, “but it was different because of all those kind of sectioned off – it feels like a smaller space, when really it’s about the same sized cathedral floorplan. It’s just sectioned.”
The sectioning is challenging as it makes it difficult for the choir to hear themselves as they are singing. Fortunately the skill and training of the Senior Choristers have overcome this.
And yes, it’s interesting to sing in a space that has been used for literally 1100 years, but Evelyn and Isabelle didn’t feel the pressure Monday when they first sang in the cathedral, thanks to the travels and sight-seeing of last weekend.
“I think we were too tired. We were really tired,” said Evelyn. “Yeah, we were too jetlagged!” added Isabelle.
As the friends are finishing their careers in the Trinity youth choirs, they have some advice for the younger members.
“Throw yourself into it, give it your all, much as you’re miffed about doing it, because a lot of kids hate singing and they don’t want to be here and they’re being forced to. But give it your all because the more you put into it the more you get out of it.”
These two have thrown themselves into singing at Trinity Church and are finishing it with an amazing experience in England!
One last thought from Isabelle and Evelyn:
“Ms. Gen is a queen and we love her!”
(“Ms. Gen” is Virginia Bolena, our Director of Music and Organist.)
