Many a 'Happy Birthday'

Well, Monday was my twenty-first birthday- a day for a lot of things, but it seemed to be dominated mainly by spontaneous choruses of "Happy Birthday".  I know you're probably thinking something along the lines of, "the intent is always nice but...musically? Happy birthday always is a little painful,"- wrong. Being a music major of course means being surrounded by musical people. Now, if you will, imagine 'happy birthday' being sung by a chorus of music majors. Much more pleasing to the ear- occasional harmonies thrown in, and of course, sung by people who are my friends.
     I have to say, each chorus of 'happy birthday' seemed to have a different function- though it was always being sung to me.  The first time was when I walked into my Harmony&Form IV class, completely unsuspecting, truly. En route to my seat, I hear a sort of piano intro, characteristic of 'happy birthday' and immediately began to become embarrassed- before I knew it, the whole class was singing to me (including my professor), accompanied by a fellow classmate, a nice way to start class before more discussion of twentieth century music :)
     'Happy birthday' round two: Choral Methods. At the start of one of my classmate's teaching episodes a friend of mine raises her hand: "Yes, Janice?" "CAN WE SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BECKY, IT'S HER BIRTHDAY!"  Of course this results in another chorus of 'happy birthday' but this time, it was not as musical as you might think- despite taking place in choral methods. For piano proficiency, one of the things you have to do is play and harmonize happy birthday by ear; F is a good key to do this in.  What does happy birthday start on? Sol. (Or Do, if you prefer fixed Do.)  So my friend who is teaching plays an F on the piano- and the class takes this to mean 'this is your starting pitch'. I don't blame them, I probably would have as well. As imaginable, starting on F4 was kind of difficult for the choral methods class in terms of vocal range.  Regardless, it was nice.
     Round three: Conducting. I walk into conducting and immediately my professor wishes me a happy birthday.  At this point, I thought the outbursts of song were pretty much over, but I was wrong. One of my classmates eagerly: "can we sing happy birthday to Becky? Can we conduct it?!" My professor agreed. This was a perfect opportunity, as we have been discussing preps on different beats.  "Happy birthday is in three, starts on three, where's the pickup?" My classmate who asked to conduct this couldn't seem to get the inflections right, so it ended up being a teaching experience for all of us, and my professor (amazing conductor) ended up conducting our class. So great.
    Round four: Yes, the fourth time a chorus of 'happy birthday was sung to me, and possibly my favorite of all (no offense to the beautiful people of the music department). Bella Voce.
Bella Voce is an all women's choir that I sing in, (do check us out here!) and it just so happened that my birthday fell on a rehearsal night.  Although this meant I wouldn't be finished with my day until about 9:30PM, I knew there was a pretty good chance I would receive a lovely rendition of 'happy birthday'- and I was right.  One of my friends announced it was my birthday after she finished leading warm-ups and a collective 'WOOO!' sounded from the choir.  Right then and there I almost cried, because these women were genuinely excited for me.  Shirley one of our accompanists/choir members moved down to the piano and played a lovely flourish to lead the choir into and out of the most colorful, harmonious, and joyous renditions of 'happy birthday' I have had the pleasure of receiving; so much so that I had to hold back my tears of joy.  Never have I felt so accepted in a choir, and I fear I would not have such an immense appreciation for women's choral music and choral music in general were it not for Bella Voce- and I'll say right now this is not the last time I will write about this wonderful choir.
This post was not intended to be about my birthday, and I hope by now it has been perceived as a review of ways that 'happy birthday' can educate and influence.  I would certainly be remiss if I did not thank my wonderful family members for the various voice-mails and their own lovely renditions of 'happy birthday', as those will always be near, dear, and irreplaceable to me- regardless of musical quality.

Happy reading,
Becky