Christus Resurrexit

Tonight, we had our annual Easter Vigil service at church, also called the Taize service (I'll explain why in a minute). It is the most mystical and, I think, interesting service of the whole year. The first half of the service, through the renewal of Baptismal vows is in the dark, the church lit by candles and light in the gallery (so the choir can see). the bulletin says the lights are like this to simulate being inside the tomb with Jesus. Creepy.

It's called the Taize service because we sing all of the music from this orange book of Taize music. We also have about 15-20 instrumentalists playing a variety of instruments (French horn, Barry Sax, Trumpet, Sitar, Recorder, Flute, and Oboe just to name a few. I think we had guitar and ukulele as well tonight). Every piece of music has an "intro to the Intro" which is our choir director's way of cluing us in to which piece we are doing and letting the instruments playing the real intro know that it is time to start. This service is also famous for its "roadmaps" which tell

1. What order the pieces are in
2. What instruments play when
3. Who has what solos
4. When we sneak down from the gallery to the chancel
5. And how many times we will repeat a refrain
6. And so much more (or maybe that's about it)

We were absolutely packed tonight; the choir was bursting at the seams in the pews, spilling into the overflow pews. We didn't even all fit in the gallery. Our director had to send some of us down to the back of the church to sing. As I was an instrumentalist and a soloist, I got to remain in the gallery. But, in the end, what mattered was how we sounded, and the music was wonderful.

After the cauldron and all the candles were lit (and yes, we do start with a cauldron), the Exsultet was chanted by our director. It was sublime. There is something very ancient and beautiful about plainsong, and I had to work to stay in my body. I was so relaxed and peaceful that I was sorry to have it end.

The readings tonight, prior to the lights being on, were from the Old Testament. We heard "The Creation Story," "Noah and the Flood," "The Parting of the Red Sea," and "The Valley of Dry Bones." Again, this is my first time really paying attention to the readings and the services during Holy Week, and aside from the fact that when they were talking about it raining for 40 days and 40 nights I could hear Bill Cosby say, "Let it rain for 40 days and 40 nights and wait for the sewers to back up," I didn't really zone out. I did however come up with questions and internal commentary during the readings, especially during the Red Sea. I know the "Old Testament God" is angry and vengeful, but did he have to kill all of the Egyptians? Did he have to "harden their hearts" so that they would follow the Israelites across the Red Sea, only to drown? I know the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites, but it didn't seem right to murder them. God had already taken all of the firstborn sons. Wasn't that enough?

I played the recorder tonight. That was my instrument (aside from my voice), and I ALWAYS get nervous playing the recorder in front of people. No matter how long or how hard I practice, I'm always very nervous when I go to play. In the end, everything went fine, and with Taize music, it doesn't matter if you mess up because it all sounds fine in the end; it's not Mozart or anything like that.

When we were finished with renewing the Baptismal vows, the lights were flipped on and the "Strife is o're" so to speak. We are now allowed to say the "A" word (Begins with "A" and ends with "lleluia"), and we said it numerous times from then on, celebrating the end of Lent and of the suffering portion of Holy Week. It was so nice having it back in the service, not having to worry about saying it accidentally, especially as a chorister. The rule about it being forbidden lasts only 24 hours for choristers because we have to start practicing our Easter music as soon as Ash Wednesday is over.

After the service was over, we had refreshments, including the now traditional "Peepshi" which are Peeps wrapped in Rice Krispie Treats and Fruit Roll-ups to look like sushi rolls. They are so cute and so delicious. I spent a short amount of time by the food, mostly talking to a friend and my brother before I headed back into the choir room to clean and organize. My director and I were done setting up the room for tomorrow's services before 10pm. We rock.

By the time this posts, it will tomorrow already (HAPPY EASTER). It's been a very long day, beginning with one of my best friends crashing in my dorm for the night and ending with the anticipation of a double service of amazing music, wrangling kids, and a full house. Should be loads of fun. ;)

"Hmmm. Christus Resurrexit, Christus Resurrexit! Hmmm. Alleluia! Alleluia!"