The essay below is by my good friend Rochelle Crisp. Rochelle you rock thanks for letting me put your essay on my site and congrats on your engagement!!!!!
Music can make or match our humanly emotions. When we are sad, our favorite song can make us smile. Other songs can bring bittersweet memories and tears. For teenagers, music can be a major element individuality and self-expression. In my lifetime of singing, however, I have seen but one man bring two hundred teenagers together with a song. An opportunity approached me toward the end of my sophomore year of high school to apply for the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir. I was accepted and on July 30, 2000, I met Mr. Snyder. I was immediately blown away with his style of conducting and the words that he spoke to make us sound beautiful. Standing in front of two hundred singers, he talked and demonstrated perfectly. We sat in amazed silence with nothing less than utter respect and a desire to please our teacher. As our week of rehearsal came to a close, we had grown close to each other and everyone was excited for the fair to open. After our first day, devotions started in our rehearsal tents. It was a time for everyone that wanted to participate to sit down and reflect on the day. The more of these evening gatherings I attended, the more emotionally attached I became to Mr. Snyder and the friends I had made. We cried together and prayed for each other. Mr. Snyder told an inspirational story every night that let me sleep peacefully and I was always excited to hear the next one.Time was never on our side. The three weeks that I had dreaded were almost over and I did not want to go home for the world. Mr. Snyder was now referred to as “Dad” by almost all the choir members. We had all worked hard to get to where we were. We were proud and most importantly, we loved each other. The Guinness Book of World Records could record us as the world’s biggest family. There was only one man we could thank and it was impossible to thank him enough. Mr. Snyder forever changed me. When I watch him direct, I can tell that he loves the music and he loves every person on the risers. He becomes excited during songs and people can feel the energy in the room. Our sound reflects his face and motions, both of which are wonderful. He loves what he does and that makes all of us love the choir and each other. Beverly Sills made the quote, “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” Mr. Snyder shared that with me, but the quote has such a deep meaning now that I have been in the choir. We worked hard and sometimes we were not in great moods. But when we saw the results of our singing, the work was worth it and we were glad we had not slacked. Mr. Snyder made me see that I can do anything in any situation, even when it is a task that I would rather not do. He also made me realize my desire for a music education career and my true love for music. Whoever said one man could not change the world was sadly mistaken. Mr. Snyder has transformed hundreds upon hundreds of young people who are taking their new outlooks on life into the world. We want to share the beauty of music with everyone. One lesson we all learn at the fair is that there is a friend in every single person you meet. Whether or not you choose to allow that friend into your life is your choice. I know I have made the right choice countless times since my first day at the fair. I have Charles R. Snyder, my hero, “my dad,” to thank for that.
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The whole choir
The Cardinal Chorale
An average day
A tribute to our dear friend Simon
About me, in case you wanted to know
The Reunion Concert
