Who Wrote The Book Of Love

At the end of each year in middle school choir there were regional competitions. Soloists and ensembles.

I chose to be in an ensemble. A group of four.

The previous year I had seen a group do a doo-wop version of Who Wrote The Book Of Love and the audience really seemed liked that one the best. But it didn’t win. Which was confusing. I  thought the ensemble must have done something wrong with it but that if my group did it we would get it right and definitely win.

So we rehearsed it up. I had the melody on the second verse. We were prepared. We went on stage and easily had the loudest applause of the night. Everyone was smiling. Everyone loved it. Four 7th grade boys brought down the house.

But just like the group the year before us, we didn’t win. We finished middle of the pack.

We wanted to win the competition. So we rehearsed to impress the judges. But it turns out there were two categories called ‘technical marks’ and ‘level of difficulty points’ that a doo-wop song at a formal choral competition just was never going to score very high on.

I remember being so confused.

Now I get it.

But it’s that exact same confusion (and defeated-ness) that creeps in all these years later when I don’t keep my eyes open.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com