sonia | Goodbye to a choir mate, Susan Fetcho

I've been singing with a Balkan community choir for the last couple of years. Sadly, one of the founding singers died of cancer a few weeks ago. At our recent end-of-session concert, we sang Heyamoli, one of her favorite songs, in her honor.

Her memorial service was yesterday over in Marin. I wasn't going to go, since it was during the work day and I'd have to find a ride. But they invited the choir to sing Heyamoli for her, and I wanted to support the effort, so I asked for 4 hours of bereavement leave at work, and asked choir members for a ride.

I'm glad I went! The memorial was at beautiful Fernwood Cemetery, and was filled with music, poetry, and heartfelt remembrances. Remembering Susan Fetcho at Radix Magazine has some of the same songs and stories.

I'm proud that I set aside time to go, and I'm proud of performing. It's not something that comes easily for me, although I didn't feel as much anticipatory panic as I have in the past. It's a song I've sung a lot, so instead of looking at the sheet music, I looked out at the chapel full of people gathered to grieve and sing and celebrate Susan's life, and sang for them.

Heyamoli is a Laz song, arranged into polyphonic parts by Tamar Buadze for her Georgian group Tutarchela. Here is their version.

I like seeing this small group Alilo sing it too. Looks like they're a group out of France. There is also a group Alilo out of Georgia - here is a full concert at the Library of Congress. In his introductory comments, the Ambassador of Georgia pronounces it "ah-LI-lo." Alilo means aleluia, hallelujah. Singing starts at around 7:30.

Susan also sang Sacred Harp, shape note, and a large contingent of singers sang a couple of songs. It reminded me of Larry Gordon, and this video of him skillfully leading a newly-taught shape note song, Do Not Go Gentle, although I hear now that it's a different one they sang at the memorial. One of the shape note singers was fighting tears, and I had to look away to avoid crying myself since our group hadn't sung yet. Crying and singing don't mix well.