Reflection

There is something profound to me about the first AMC rehearsal of the season. For the first time in weeks, we take a deep breath together and transform it into song. I go home that night, floating on a cloud, feeling the stretch in my lungs.

And then there’s this season’s first rehearsal: for the first time, we will be taking that first collective breath without Eric Nelson at the helm. The whole season ahead will be AMC without Eric. He is exactly where he needs to be right now, focused on his own well-being. So we get to figure out how to bring these programs alive in a new way.

It’s a bit of an identity crisis - what is Atlanta Master Chorale without that leadership from Eric, that partnership with Eric? That journey that we take together, from sight reading to performance? The expressions he makes in performance that only we get to see, the remarks he gives to our audiences? He finally programmed Lobet den Herrn; will we be able to give it wings without him?  

I’m an old hand here. I’ve witnessed the evolution of the chorale from a much humbler state to where we are now: one of the most respected and renowned community choruses in the country, with fans all over the world. It’s been an amazing journey. 

Eric’s artistic vision has brought us here. And we owe just as much to the insight of our board, the appreciation of our donors and audiences, and our own talent and heart and hard work. Because of all of these things, we know who we are - we know what Atlanta Master Chorale means to us and to all of you. So we’ll gather together on Tuesdays like we always do and find a new way to be AMC.

This season will be different; I can guarantee it. What will be the same is our joy in preparing these programs and sharing them with you, still at the same level of beauty and excellence.  It will be our pleasure to continue the tradition, and we can’t wait to see you in the audience.

-Lisa Hayes, Atlanta Master Chorale Soprano