Bonfire

I needed a separate page for the bonfire because it is easily the most emotional piece of choir camp. Shortly after dinner when the sun had finally set, we split into our age groups. A guide led us through these woods on a night hike and it was amazing looking up into the sky and seeing the moon and stars. We all began discussing how small we truly are compared to the rest of the universe. It was very serene in the woods, night sounds all around us. We tried out this little trick our guide taught us which was if you chew a mint lifesaver outside you can see little sparks almost. We were the only source of light at the moment. Our guide was so wonderful he even had us sing for him! Our song moved him to tears which none of us were expecting. He said that he has been struggling ever since he lost someone close to him and our music shed a light of hope for him. Hope- that's what music is to many people. Choir has been a safe haven for so many of us which we found out at the bonfire. We made it back to our facility where a bonfire was waiting. We all sat around the fire when our three leadership team members began speaking about the Bradley Choir Pillars-Integrity, Family, and Passion. These are the foundations we have built our choir on and have been passing down for years now. After that, everyone began pouring out their hearts to one another. Telling life stories and hardships they have faced, what made them join choir and even what has kept them here. Everyone even gave an answer to a question our director asked which was- what does music mean to you? There were a wide range of answers but every single one related back to it was their most important part of their day. Music has changed lives and even saved a few. I realized at the bonfire that by this time next year, I will no longer be with my Bradley family. I will be away at college, pursuing my dreams. That was my last moment of a choir trip bonfire that I will have. Everyone seemed to feel it at the same time too, we finally found what we needed. A moment where we all became a family. There was no athletes, nerds, freshmen, seniors, we were all one family. We all came from a different place but came together in this moment. We had all the new members throw their hats into the fire as a way of unifying them with the rest of us.

Our music from that point on has sounded different, stronger even. We sound unified and that is truly beautiful.