Brotherhood

23 – more than half – of them showed up for the Aces + Alumni Christmas party on Dec. 22, one of the busiest of the pre-Christmas days. And many more sent their regrets from unavoidable conflicts.

Why did so many of them come back?

Music. The high-level music making is a big part of their connection. Many of them continue to sing in college choirs, regardless of their major, but hold a special pride for the music they made with this group.

Brotherhood. I believe that the connection these men feel towards their high school choir is stronger because of the all-male Aces experience. That we have given them exemplary musical experiences over the past seven years is I think less important than the bonding they’ve developed by being among other like-minded young men.

Work. This has never been a social group first. They are brothers because they share a common purpose and work hard to achieve it. And hard work bonds you to the people working next to you.

Community. We emphasize family as a concept in the Rockford Choirs, and these boys have felt like a particularly close family unit since the beginning.

Now at these reunions, these gentlemen can connect immediately because they know they share these connections.

Seeing these young men together, laughing and singing across nearly a decade of life is so gratifying. I am one proud dad.