Plymouth Magazine-Fall24-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 15
chaperones to take some very appreciated
warm showers and experience just a little
bit of peace and quiet. Everyone made
it very easy to have fun and experience
what life was like in Weston.
We also took a visit to NYC. For me,
I’ve never been to a place that big before–
and it was exciting, overwhelming, and
incredible all at once. I saw people playing
cards together in the park, countless
musicians on street corners, beautiful,
tall buildings, and had a lot of fun people
watching. We also got to see an incredible
Broadway show, Hadestown. Thankfully,
some of my fellow Matins gave me a quick
synopsis on the backstory behind it, so I
wasn’t too confused.
Our final performance at Norfield
Church was when I really started to
realize how much Matins meant to me
and everyone else, as well as the people
we perform to. In all my years of singing
for Matins, I have never experienced a
concert quite like that one. Before hand,
we were all pretty happy and excited
from all of the experiences we had
throughout the week, but we weren’t
taking performing very seriously. After
an expertly spoken pep-talk from Ted,
we sort of hunkered down and sang with
more of a purpose than we had been
doing before. It was really crazy because
everyone was getting very emotional,
and the audience that came in to watch
us was clapping along to the music or
yelling out when they felt compelled to.
Their full participation made it really
special and I think everyone (regardless
of their religious beliefs) felt a spiritual
connection flowing through each of us.
We talked a lot about how important
feeling connected to your audience is,
and how amazing it was to witness active
participation in our singing. It cultivated
a space for radical love and joy to reach
anyone that was able to be a part of
Matins, whether singing in the choir or
being a member of the crowd.
After tour, we all decided that bringing
what we had learned from Norfield to
Plymouth was the best way to continue
the legacy of genuine kindness we
experienced at Norfield. We hope that
our newfound respect for our music
can help us better connect with our
community and church congregation.
I am very grateful to everyone who
has worked to make Matins what it is
today, especially Ted Brimeyer, Sohee
Lee, Christopher Goodson, and our
many chaperones. Everyone I have met
at Plymouth Church has positively
impacted my life and I will never forget
the amazing and wonderful memories I
have from joining Matins.
Savannah Carlson is a Plymouth member and recent Matins graduate.
Plymouth
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Magazine 15
