Right from childhood, I have loved music, and I've always wished for my voice to be heard amidst a crowd with no limitations, even though I'm shy and I don't like mingling with people. I always tried to maintain my distance from the crowd as much as possible, even though my parents don't like that part of me. My mom is always complaining about me singing in the house at the top of my voice and refusing to join the choir in church. Singing is one of my best hobbies because it helps me overcome bad times, puts me in a good mood, and helps me overcome depression.
I always loved listening to the choir sings in church—the melody they produce from the different parts ranging from soprano, alto, and tenor to those that sing bass. It is a beautiful feeling to listen to them sing. "Won't you join the choir instead of disturbing the peace of the house?" my mom said one afternoon when I was singing a song by one of Nigeria's popular gospel artists named Tope Alabi. I love the rhythm of the song, and I enjoyed listening as I repeated it over and over again. "The choir is too crowded for me, Mom," I replied as I bowed my head to avoid eye contact. Speaking in sarcasm, she replied, "Then go and reduce their number." She looked at me angrily, but not paying much attention to her, I decided to pretend as if I didn't hear what she said.
"I will have to talk with your dad; I don't like this person you are becoming," she added to her statement. I looked at her and grinned as I continued with my song on my way outside. As I left, I heard my mom murmuring to herself, but it was not audible, so I couldn't hear her well. Later at night, my mom called my dad for a discussion, and I thought she was joking until she started, "I will like this girl to join the church choir." She started as I looked at my dad, trying to read the reaction on his face.
My dad is someone who doesn't believe in forcing a child to do something that is against his or her wishes. My mom continued, "She had been singing the whole day, disturbing the entire house, but for her to join the choir, she refused." My dad, who had been looking at my reaction since my mom started the conversation, cleared his throat and asked, "Akorin ogo, which means the glorious singer, would you love to join the choir?" I felt comfortable because I knew my dad would support me. I replied, "No, Dad, I'm not ready to associate myself with them."
My mom, who was already fuming where she was sitting, snapped at me and said, "Who needs your opinion?" Then she faced my dad, asking him not to ask for my opinion but rather to command me. She was so angry that I could hear it in her voice, but notwithstanding, I didn't give in to her request. On Sunday, the choir sang the song I had been singing at home during the week, and I must confess it was wonderful. Right there where I was sitting, I felt the urge to join the choir. "I will love to sing this song with them the next time they are ministering with it," I said to myself.
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After the service that Sunday, I walked to the choir stand to speak with their executives about my intention to join the unit. I was asked a few questions about the part I sing, which I responded to quite well, and then I was told the day and time of the rehearsals, which I promised to attend. On getting home, I told my parents about it, and my mom was as happy as someone who won a jackpot. My dad looked at me and asked if that was what I wanted or if I did so just to please my mom. "I wished to join Dad; that's why I joined," I replied. After my probation, I can fully sing with the rest of the choir, and this was a great feeling because I love the melody produced with our combined voices; it strengthens me and gives me a sense of belonging. Singing is the only time I don't mind standing in front of a large crowd, and it has been wonderful ever since.
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