Ochazuke
It’s Christmas and I’m Off to Join the Choir
By Mikey Hirano Culross
Monday, December 29, 2008

I love sing­ing in a choir, especially at Christmas­time. After all, what’s not to love? In addition to making beautiful music, you forge wonderful relationships, have the opportunity to sing in gor­geous halls and churches and you even get to dress like a Supreme Court justice.

I first remember singing in a choir when I was in elementary school, then later in high school. Readers who were living in the Pasadena area from the late 1960s into the 90s may remember a local Broadway-style production called Kaleidoscope, performed by the students from Blair High School. In 1984, I was part of that show, joining the ranks of those who had the honor of working under the school’s choral director, James Coday.

Mr. Coday was truly an archetype of the classic theater director. He was a consummate perfectionist, demanding, even acerbically critical in his work. He was also undeniably dedicated to his love for his students.

I still marvel at how this dapper, soft-spoken man could take a ragtag bunch of kids–many of whom had never sung in public–and convince us to give up our lunchtimes and precious after school hours to rehearse a slate of songs that were written well before we were born. I clearly remember the frenzied rush to the choir room as soon as the lunch bell rang, running with a peanut butter sandwich flapping in my mouth.

This week, several alumni gathered to join the current Blair choir at their Christmas concert, to sing in the finale as a tribute to Mr. Coday, who died of leukemia in Octo­ber. After fighting rush-hour traffic to make our 5 p.m. rehearsal on Tuesday, a smile crept onto my face as I ran from my car through the corridors of Lake Avenue Church. Did the lunch bell ring already?

Reuniting with my old school­mates brought back that feeling of belonging we shared decades ago. We hugged profusely at the sight of one another, which I’m sure was somewhat odd to the teenagers standing on stage. What’s up with all these grown-ups grabbing each other and laughing?

Anyway, we old-timers accompanied the choir for the evening’s last song, “Seasons of Love,” from the musical “Rent.” I’ll have to say that we suffi­ciently butchered the relatively simple tune, a performance that would have drawn a series of scowls from Mr. Co­day. It didn’t matter; we sang broadly and proudly, with our voices aimed squarely at the Heavens, loud enough to be heard by our former director. If he didn’t hear it, I’m positive he felt the warmth with which it was delivered.

To this day, I have a note from Mr. Coday that has been in my guitar case since he gave it to me in 1984, after the second and final performance of that year’s edition of Kaleidoscope. He wrote, “I know that sometimes I am harsh and that you and I have had our conflicts. But it is only because I love you and I want you to achieve the great things you are capable of doing.” This was his life’s commitment, to helping young people be their best. Remember­ing that gift is especially appropriate at this time of year.

Mr. Coday, I still remember the Latin lyrics to “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.” They are the only sentences I can ut­ter in the archaic language, and due to your tutelage, I pronounce the words correctly–“egg-shell-sees.” And at this Christmastime, I will sing a little louder, “Glory to God in the highest,” aiming a healthy portion of that praise in your direction. Merry Christmas, sir.

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Mickey Hirano Culross is editor for the Rafu’s English Sports section and can be reached at sports@rafu.com. Ochazuke is a staff-written column. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Rafu Shimpo.