the knowledge of singing

it is a mark of great favor
and epistemological awareness
to have the honor
of singing in a well -trained choir

the mind can become aware
of sonic possibilities
while working out harmonic textures
with voices pitched at 4 levels
bass
baritone
second tenor
first tenor

it is more than merely becoming
familiar with melody and text
at some point
if a singer is listening as
astutely as possible
to all the other voices
there is the awareness
of powerful and beautiful sound

even when singing monophonically
as in gregorian chant
to acheive the sound of unity
while preserving the texture offered
by various voices
is to attain to
a portal to metaphysical possibility

one has that profound sense
that what is best in this world
is the result of drastic co-operation

people
souls voices united
for the sole purpose
of transmitting beauty

at the highest level of musicianship
that is the domain reserved by Boethius
for the philosopher
one becomes aware of actually
interpreting the sound of the choir
and positing other possibilities
perhaps for improvisation
perhaps for alternative harmonic color
perhaps for something as simple as timbre
simple and subtely complex at the same time

i pondered these cognitive principles
while singing with a double choir
an echoey version of
the setting from the middle ages
of HAEC DIES
this is the day
a polyphonic portrait
of the easter message

alleluia!!