Singing with teens is music to my heart

by Audrey Novak Riley

Recently I joined the teen choir at church–even though it’s been a long, long time since I was a teen. Our choir director had asked me a while back if I wanted to switch from the adult choir to the teen choir.

I said no back then, but I changed my mind. Why? Partly because the Madrigals’ rehearsal schedule works for me, but even more than that, because I like their early-music repertoire. It’s challenging and it’s beautiful, and (last but not least) I can sing it.

When I showed up at the first rehearsal, my new choir mates were kind of shy–after all, I’m about 50 years older than most of them (!), and I’m sure they were wondering who I was and why I was there. But by our third rehearsal, my new choir colleagues made it clear they were glad I was with them–and I’m glad I’m with them, too.

So how does this intergenerational thing work? Well, I think a big part of it is that we’re all focused on doing something together–making music–and we’re all putting our best efforts and best attitudes into it.

Among the singers are several skilled musicians who might choose to take their art further when they go to college, but they are treated just like every one else. And we do have fun–there’s a lot of laughter when the Madrigals, young and less young, get together. Nobody tells anybody what to do (except the choir director, but that’s his job) and we’re all in this together. It’s great. I’m glad I’m with us.

When have you had an intergenerational experience that worked well for everyone? What do you think made it happen?

Audrey Novak Riley serves Women of the ELCA as director for stewardship. She’s an alto or second soprano, as needed.