Tonight, the University of Alabama held a memorial ceremony, primarily in remembrance of the six UA students that were killed in the April 27th, 2011 tornado, but of course other victims as well. UA is the center of Tuscaloosa. Naturally, if anything around us is devastated, we are affected. It's our home.
The University Singers, in which I am a proud member of again, after taking a year break, were asked to sing at the opening of the ceremony. We sang Jeffery Ames' I've Been in the Storm So Long. So extremely appropriate, and such a moving piece. We met at Moody to rehearse today for about an hour or so before riding to the ceremony.
Generally, the first week of school, the singers don't even start new pieces. Our conductor, Dr. John Ratledge, places us on the risers according to our voices, women one day, and men the next, and then maybe by the second week, we'll start class officially. Last Wednesday was the first day of school, and we were told that we had been asked to sing at this ceremony in four days. And it had to be memorized. So, it was a task for us. But it was definitely do-able.
After we rehearsed, we had about thirty minutes or so to wait for the bus, which gave us time to get to know each other. There are at least 50 or so of us. So that was a really nice thing for us. I've met a majority of the newer members, and I already know we're going to become a wonderful new family. :)
We had a police escort to Lakeside Dining Hall on campus, on two "short" buses. 50 of us. Crammed on two UA SHORT buses. Needless to say, we became a family REALLY quickly. It was kind of awesome being escorted. And our bus driver was like a bat out of Hell, and we found ourselves on two wheels at one point in the trip. This was about the time we were talking about how we were important because we were wearing ties.
The singing went well. Really well, I think. My roommate, Kasey, was the soloist for the piece, and she did a glorious job. The Alabama football coach, Nick Saban was there, which is a pretty big deal to ANY Alabama fan. He was two feet away from me, no joke.
It was a really wonderful ceremony. Hero awards were given out to individuals and groups who were truly inspirational during our time of need, and still are. Saban gave a great speech, as did the UA Student President.
And at the very end, just as it was getting dark, event staff members began lighting candles. Around the small lake behind the dining hall where the ceremony was held, were red and white paper bags with sand at the bottom, and a candle. There was a staff member standing behind about every tenth bag. And each candle was lit, one by one, each staff member taking over as the previous member's last candle was lit, and so on and so forth. It was beautiful. And they represented Tuscaloosa.
Those who were taken.
Those who had lost.
Those who have supported us.
Those who still live with those memories, and always will.
Those who weren't in Tuscaloosa, but felt their hearts break in two as their home away from home was devastated.
For me. And you.
It was a beautiful night. Beautiful music, beautiful ones remembered, beautiful people, beautiful friendships, and beautiful leadership.
We Are Tuscaloosa.
This shot was taken at another Tornado Memorial ceremony for Tuscaloosa, not the one that was held tonight. But I felt it was powerful and worth sharing.
Nox.
Beautifully said...
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