George Washington wrote in a letter to his nephew,
True friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
So it is with great ensemble singing. We cannot attain the deep, intimate, soul-stirring performances of our dreams without adversity, without striving, without time spent together.
I would rather hear a choir of amateurs who have forged this bond than a choir of the best “ringers” brought together to sing for a concert.
Wouldn’t you?