It's funny how some things only make sense in hindsight. That I didn't end up in a "glamour" career like performing or composing makes sense to me now. I'm not really driven to do those things. But for many years I felt a bit like a second-class musician because I was "only" a teacher. I realize now just how misguided my feelings were and I'm truly grateful to have found and embraced my calling so many years ago.
It's also funny how some things come full circle, even if they take a lifetime to do so. As a young student I sang in choir. I absolutely loved it. I thought I wanted to be a singer professionally and made some decisions based upon that notion. But I didn't want to be classically trained. I was more of a singer/songwriter kind of guy. So I didn't go to college to study music. (Guitar wasn't an option then.)
However, twice in my life, I've found myself conducting a church choir. With no training other than as a choir singer as a kid. Both times were less than successful. And now I'm currently doing it again for a third time. I didn't want to but I was badgered into it. For the first two years I was awful at it, and unhappy about it, but my small, modest choir has been more than patient with me and I'm starting to grow into it.
I recently took a series of lessons from a friend who is also a church choir director, just to pick his brain about how to do this. I learned a lot and will begin to use this new found information immediately. (Again - this choir is very patient with me). Whatever our weaknesses are, we will overcome them. I'm very confident and hopelessly optimistic.
The job of any conductor is to teach and I have a willing class/choir. This thing that I avoided at age seventeen I'm becoming enthusiastic about at nearly seventy years of age.
On this day of Thanksgiving here in the U.S., I'm thankful for the opportunity to continue doing what I love the most....teach. I'm grateful that I can still be of use and still have a schedule to maintain. Some days I find it tiring and I grumble. But in the quiet moments I reflect on my good fortune. Being a choir director takes a lot of effort. But worthwhile things always do.