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The following article written by Eldon Brethour, former conductor of the Toronto Men Teachers’ Choir, appeared in the AMCA newsletter, “Keynotes”, October 1950. I have kept it on file because I believe it states eloquently what AMCA membership means in non practical terms. It was titled “On Belonging to Something Bigger Than Oneself” and I reproduce it here as an introduction to the topic on benefits of membership. (Note: Eldon passed away in the mid 1980’s shortly after a reunion dinner held in his honor at the Castle Loma, Toronto - an event he was unable to attend due to ill health. Over one hundred former members of the TMTC attended and once again sang the music he so loved to direct. Due to Eldon’s unexpected absence the reunion choir was under the direction of his predecessor, Harvey Perrin. The TMTC had been disbanded for almost a decade at that time!)
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On Belonging to Something Bigger Than Oneself
Man cannot live alone. He must fit into society as it exists. He must learn to adapt himself to conditions as he finds them. He finds out what the rules are and by observing them, he gradually develops until he fits into the picture.
He joins the church. It may be the church of his parents, although through circumstances he may affiliate with a different sect. But he does join some church - some medium between himself and eternity. This will give some point, some meaning to his life. Without something to worship, some hope of a hereafter, his active daily life becomes a shallow, purposeless thing.
Whether we like to think about it very deeply or not, we are inevitably moving slowly toward consummation of worldly things. As all our worldly activities are directed to some end, some achievement, some fulfillment along the way, so there must be some ultimate aim. We look to eternal life as the completion, the “payoff”, as it were, to all the sum total of our individual worldly endeavors. By joining the church we openly acknowledge our dependence on a larger group, a company to go along with us. We try to add our strength to the strength we find in the larger group. We add to our own stature by the added strength and inspiration we receive from them. We are mutually fortified.
In a lesser degree, we join with others in sports, lodge, service clubs and many other larger groups. The chorus is another of these groups. As a member of a chorus, we lose identity and at the same time we find it. I often say to my own choir, “Individually, we are as nothing; collectively, we are a tremendous power for good. Together we can give pleasure to thousands of people by producing something truly artistic and lovely. A thing of beauty is a joy forever, and to belong to group and feel that they are together creating something which is good brings a degree of satisfaction to the individual member which has a profound influence on his whole character.”
This added strength, which comes to the individual from larger associations, can go even further when the group in turn, joins its forces to a still larger group, such as the Associated Male Choruses of America. The man who walks alone is liable to think alone and his thoughts tend to turn inward and be of a squirrel-cage variety. He thinks the same thoughts over and over again, and he simply must escape in order to grow.
The audience must get a tremendous “lift” from listening to a thousand trained men sing together. A great cleric, on hearing the 2000-voice Toronto Exhibition Chorus sing several years ago, said, “Give me that chorus and I will reform the world.” What a pity that the thousands who turn out for sporting events the year ‘round could not be given the experience of hearing one of these 1000-men choruses sing! Perhaps some day that will come to pass. Here in Toronto, some 14,000 watch the (Toronto Maple) Leafs hockey team play in the Maple Leaf Gardens and often during the week as well. When you think of the deadly similarity of the pattern in these contests and the infinite variety, light, shade color and emotional impact of a great chorus of men’s voices, there is no comparison between them, as straight entertainment. I realize the two are essentially different, but there are points of similarity between them which we might discover some day and draw along with us into this world of beauty, the masses of people who have never felt its tremendous glory and excitement.
I have always thought it was a good thing for a man to belong to SOMETHING BIGGER THAN HIMSELF!
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While these sentiments still have great value in my opinion, the more pragmatic among you may be saying “Yeah, but what do we get for our dues money?” I agree that times have changed and in today’s materialistic world we look for value for dollars spent - it is right for you to expect concrete benefits and its a fair question to ask. One that must be addressed. My short answer is that its obvious we are not perceived as meeting the needs of the many male choruses out there that know about the AMCA and have made the decision NOT to become members. And we haven’t met the needs of those choruses that were members but decided to withdraw.
In Part Two of this series, I shall take a look at the vision, aims and ideals of our founding fathers when the Associated Glee Clubs of America was young and flourishing. What attracted men and choruses to us? What benefits did we offer then that brought so many male choruses into the association? Why is it not working in the Year 2000?
On the subject of “Benefits”, I would like more than ever to hear what you have to say! What benefits of membership do you think AMCA should be providing that it is presently not offering its choruses?
Bill
Note from the Web Manager:
Bill has entered this thought on the AMCA Talk site.
You can respond with your own ideas/suggestions there if you like.
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