Original Date: 7-8-97

Before I went to the first choir rehearsal at Greater Buelahland Interdenominational House of Rest, I had to meet with the choir president, Sister Shirlene Brown, and the rest of the musicians. We all met over Sister Brown's house. Kourtnee stayed at Sis. Brown's house with me. I told her that she didn't have to, but Kourtnee insisted.

When we got there, she had cookies and punch waiting for us. She introduced me to all the musicians. Fenton Clark, the main organist for the choir was there. The percussionist for the choir was named Steve Cranston. The bass player was Mary James. The other pianist was named Jerry Johnston. There was also a sax player, Betty Chevette and a trumpet player, Damon Fazon. Sister Brown told me that she knew Sister Amelia Crawford from Harmon Street COGIC. They had gone to school together. Sister Brown said that Sister Crawford had said some nice things about me. We fellowshipped for a while, then the meeting got started.

The youth choir wasn't as popular a group at Greater Buelahland Interdenominational House of Rest as the other choirs were. Sis. Shirlene Brown had taken over the choir a year earlier. She was still working some kinks out of the choir. They had been given their own Sunday after Sister Brown had asked Bishop Adkins for a Sunday. They still had a problem or two. No one really came to church on their Sundays. The choir didn't have a young person as a director. Sister Brown directed the choir.

The rest of the group discussed some ideas that they had. I was very quiet. I didn't have any right to throw in my two cents. I was the rookie. Sister Brown told me to take the floor and discuss what thoughts I had. I asked them what songs they sung. They told me what songs they sung. The songs that they told me were some older songs. I suggested some more modern songs. When I told them what songs I thought we could sing, everyone teased Fenton, saying that he couldn't possibly play the songs that I was suggesting. I liked to sing songs written by Detroit Samples. He was one of the hottest producers in the state. Most of his stuff was kind of hard. I felt a little discouraged. I was use to the Harmon Street Choir. Shannon could play anything. Lord, I had stepped backwards. I shot a look at Sis. Brown. She shot me a look back. I think she knew what I meant by the look. I suggested some easier songs, "Forever God, the Same" by the 2nd Line Mass Choir and "I Know I Need the Lord" by The JBC University Choir. Fenton said that he was learning "I Know I Need the Lord." He said that he would try to learn "Forever God, the Same." We would sing some of their old stuff. Mary said that she wanted to sing, "Make Me Whole, Lord" by the JBC University Choir, also. I knew all of the song by the JBC University Choir; so neither of the songs would be a problem.

We started discussing the choir's rehearsal style. Their rehearsal style was more like a youth choir. I was use to Sis. Crawford. She treated us as if we were an adult choir. We couldn't goof around too much with Sis. Crawford. I suggested that we make the choir more professional and unchildish. I think Damon was too happy with that suggestion. He said, "Come on, we aren't gonna have to come to choir rehearsal and act like it's a job are we? I'm gonna stop coming if we do." Betty said, "I am glad somebody said something. Ya'll know ya'll be acting silly and clowning around. I don't have time to be playing around." Damon retorted back, "Just because you have had some professional training doesn't mean you are Ms. It. Please girl." Betty was about to say something, but Sister Brown stopped her. Sister Brown steered us back to the topic at hand. She said that we all had good ideas and that we could set most of the new ideas into motion on Thursday. She asked Damon to dismiss us. Damon did.

We all hung around talking. Betty talked to me mostly. She was nice, but she was a bit arrogant. She attended the Carrington Music Conservatory in Carrington. The Carrington Music Conservatory was a prestigious music school. She made it a point to let me know that she went there. Sister Brown came over to where Betty and I were and asked to talk to me. We walked over to an isolated place. Kourtnee followed us. Kourtnee came and stood by me. Sister Brown said, "I can tell by your mannerisms and style that you were groomed by Amelia Crawford. We have never seen eye to eye with our methodologies of music teaching. She is very good, but I think she is a little too hard on children. She expects too much from them. She expects them to be as good as adults. I don't agree with that philosophy. I believe that children should be given a chance to sing. You need to know this coming in. This choir is not going to be like the choir at Harmon Street. This is a different choir. These are different young people. Amelia told me that you are the best young director she has seen in a long time and I believe her. You are going to have to be patient with this group of young people." She walked off and went to go talk to Fenton. I put my head on Kourtnee's shoulder. She rubbed my hair and said, "It's gonna be alright, sweetie." I didn't believe her. This was the first time that I wished I couldn't direct.