Quick note on visit to Serbian Orthodox church

This was pretty unusual - one of the members (or maybe it was a spouse of a member, I'm not recalling) of the Arizona MusicFest chorus died, and the word went out looking for volunteers from the chorus to perform at the funeral.  (Actually, it wasn't the funeral - it was some pre-funeral ceremony held the day prior.)

Not at all sure how the "Serbian Orthodox" church rules work in relation to funerals or anything else.  But by happenstance we had performed the Bogoroditse Dyevo (or Ave Maria) from Rachmaninoff's Vespers  in 2013, so we at least knew something suitable for the location. (Learned later that the church wouldn't have permitted non-Orthodox works.)

I mention this because the experience was pretty unusual, and pretty compelling.  The church was thoroughly nondescript from the exterior, thoroughly interesting and delightful inside.  The prayers and music from the clergy, congregation and regular church choir were great to listen to.  Our piece - at the very end of the ceremony - went quite well also.

Very glad I had the chance to be part of this.