Best Compliment

I received the best compliment I have ever received yesterday.  It was from the accompanist of the Men's Chorus.  It was after the women sang in our final performance.  After their set, I had to head down to the side room behind the sanctuary to wait for a chance to go out and stand with Chamber Choir.  The accompanist was down there waiting as well (as he was every performance).  I went to wait yesterday and he said, "That was your last performance.  Are you glad it's done?"

"Hmmmm... it's always a little sad when it's done.  I am so proud of them and they work so hard.  They were excited about their performance and you know?  I'm just so proud of all they have done.  If you can't tell, I love my ladies."  That was my reply.

"And they love you."

"Well, I hope so.  But either way, I hope they love making music and singing with the group and under my direction."

"Oh, they do."

I smile.

"No, seriously," the accompanist continued, "You make it so that people want to sing for you.  They want to work hard and you create such an environment that they want to sing and do well.  It's really special.  I wish more directors were like that."

I have never received such a compliment.

Winter Fest went well.  I will look forward to hearing the performance recordings.  I thought we were maybe the most in tune Saturday evening... but I will have to see when I listen.  I think the Saturday afternoon performance was our weakest, but the the evening one and yesterday's performances went well.  Both had different strengths.

I sent follow-up e-mails to the schools I applied to.  I hope it's not annoying.  I basically just said all my stuff was in, I was really excited about that particular application, and I hope the semester finished well for them.