By Dr. Elaine Choi
Music Through the Storm: Elaine in Ottawa Choir Festival
On February 26, the eve of my last chemo session, I had the privilege of working with over 120 students from the Ottawa-Gatineau region at a choir festival hosted by the University of Ottawa.
Throughout the day, 6 choirs took turns performing for one another and participated in masterclass-style workshops, where I had the honour of serving as the guest conductor. The highlight of the festival was a collective performance - a moment where students from different choirs came together, many meeting for the first time, to sing ‘Your Soul is Song’ by composer Jake Runestad. [Watch below.]
Lyrics:
Sing!
When the seams burst,
and the traps ensnare,
and your body breaks,
and the light flees
Sing then!
For then, your soul is song.
The Story Behind the Song
This poem was written by Germán Aguilar (1984-2014), a talented choral conductor and tenor who left an indelible mark on the music community. After enduring a difficult period in his life, Germán penned these words - an ode to the resilience and power of song in the face of hardship.
Tragically, in the summer of 2014, Germán passed away from a massive aneurysm in the middle of a concert, while singing. That image of the idea of someone quite literally singing through their final moment, adds a profound depth to these lyrics. Life is never perfect, often unpredictable, and at times deeply challenging. But in song, there is beauty, joy, and the strength to carry on.
That day, as I stood before those students, conducting this piece on the cusp of my own milestone, the message of Your Soul is Song felt more powerful than ever. I have been incredibly fortunate to endure four months of chemotherapy with relative smoothness, and I know I couldn’t have done it without the unwavering love of my community and the ability to make music throughout it all. I am deeply grateful to continue my work at TEMC whenever I am able - with the support of my incredible music team. It has nourished me spiritually, socially, and musically in ways I can’t fully express. My soul needed it. My soul IS song…
