I attended Mt.St.Mary's Academy. It is an all-girls Catholic high school that provided me with much more than a book-based education. During my four years there, I learned how to be me, without worry of how others or society view or judge me.
One of my most life-affirming experiences at the Mount was as a member of the school's glee club. The reason? Well, first, I love to sing. Second, the conductor of the club was, Robert F. Schulz.
At the time, I didn't know anything about Mr. Schulz, other than he was a gently-demanding conductor who brought music from our voices that none of us knew we could achieve.
What I learned many years later was that Robert Schulz founded The Buffalo Choral Arts Society served as a guest pianist and conductor with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. WOW!
When I discovered Mr. Schulz's repute, I further understood the concert he organized for our glee club during my senior year. He taught us to sing the Messiah. Not just the Hallelujah Chorus. Additional selections as well. Then he joined our voices with the Canisius College Men's Chorus---on the stage of Kleinhans Music Hall---accompanied by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra!
Calling an experience "life-changing" often sounds trite. Yet in this case, performing that night surrounded by those incredibly talented musicians and singers, in one of America's great concert halls was truly life-changing for me. And ever since, I have dreamed of doing it again.
Today I'm taking the first step towards that dream. Actually, it's more of a huge leap--- in the form of an audition for a Buffalo choral group. I am nervous...a bit scared....but fully determined to do my best and try.
And as I do, I will hold tight to Mr. Schulz's strong belief that a group of young high school girls were talented enough to perform on a stage anywhere, alongside anyone---even now, so many years later.