All close to nature: The celtic Choir sings in the Rain

It was June and we had prepared meticulously for the "Long Day of City Nature" festival. We had rehearsed new songs as well as gained our friend Johnny's virtuoso guitar accompaniment.

However, during the rehearsal, certain doubts started to nag us. Would our singing still be audible in the rear seats? Would we ignite the spark so crucial for sing-along concerts?

Finally, the great day had come and our eyes were drawn to the sky where grey thunderstorm clouds were coming threateningly close. Shortly before the beginning of the concert it happened: A cloudburst forced us to escape into a shed behind the stage, which was not particularly comfortable but altogether dry. Singers and spectators alike hoped for a soon change in the weather, but returning to the roofless stage remained impossible. The concert virtually threatened to be called off.

After this initial surprise, we decided to not leave our audience out in the rain but to improvise a little and present our programme right there on the spot. With some delay, the concert could thus begin. Choir and audience stood huddled together between stacks of logs and toolboxes, which was to contribute to the particular atmosphere of this extraordinary concert.

The thumping of rain on the roof of the shed along with the rolling thunder gave an 'atmospheric' accompaniment of our singing. The little streamlet of rainwater meandering its way along the floor of the shed gave us the feeling of really being all close to nature, in accordance with the theme of the occasion. The bagpipe-like sounds of "Wild Mountain Thyme" finally swept us away to the Scottish Highlands. We braved the elements with merry and melancholic shanties and Susan's passionate homage to her Irish homeland ("The Cliffs of Dooneen") conjured up images of the Emerald Island's lush meadows and pastures in front of our eyes.

The audience let themselves get carried away by the harmony of music and nature and joined in as if contesting with the forces of nature and the recurrent claps of thunder. Thus, this afternoon turned out to be a great experience for both the audience and our choir. For us it remains an unforgettable concert which we will remember for a very long time. In line with Celtic storytelling: This was a story about community, music, and life with and in nature.