I, in particular, was inactive on one occasion when, among other things, I decided to finish my career as a "pure chemist" as they say to differentiate ourselves from engineers. Because I needed to focus on the thesis phase and the last subjects. Then I rejoined. For personal and work reasons I moved from Caracas. And I went back to Cumaná (I'll tell you about that later for sure).

In short, the director asked questions and most of us did the accounts and we looked at the class and work schedules, the pending activities, and to see what could be done. Because if we had a laboratory or exam it was very difficult to miss classes. In addition, in the case of the university, an act of awarding medals was carried out for each faculty and then, in the delivery of degrees, several faculties were brought together. So, it was our turn to sing at the awarding of medals at the faculty and then at the ceremony in the main hall. I mean, two days like that, it was more complex. Also when some faculty did not have a choir or when the choir could not fulfill that activity, they called us from culture. And well we had to respond obviously.

Then, when the director managed to balance the voices, the most difficult to square the bass most of the time, he had to select the repertoire according to the time, the voices, and what we were rehearsing. We practiced for the act and the meeting time was arranged in the respective auditorium or in the Aula Magna to do the corresponding warm-up.

In those solemn acts, in addition to the order speaker, who had one of the most spectacular voices I have ever heard, the authorities with that seriousness and the graduates between emotions and joys were our audience. Among so much seriousness came the musical atmosphere, which was sometimes a bit dense (classical or sacred) and other times warmer and happier (Bossanova, Venezuelan, or Christmas).

Concentrate and be quiet

Perhaps one of the most complex things was definitely being calm during the waiting time. Because depending on the number of graduates we could spend hours waiting in the dressing rooms, which was boring and difficult. And even more so being in a group with witty people, because it was crazy and being calm and silent was impossible. On more than one occasion they came to scold us for the noise. I remember that we even did plays and even had board games.

Some graduations were marathons and seemed endless, but you had to stay until the end for the interpretation of the intermission and also the closing with the anthem. Despite all that, they were still beautiful and important presentations.

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And when a chorister graduates, what happened?

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The most beautiful thing about it was when one of us graduated because he was invited to join our ranks and join in the singing. An exciting experience for everyone. And that of being dressed as a graduate and in that harmonious group with which they had lived so many moments during the degree was something fascinating. So the emotions surfaced and some tears flowed out there and the voice did not come out. But in the same way, the best effort was made there, because the show must go on.

At this time, many of the members, those of us who were still studying, I think we projected ourselves into the future and imagined our graduations, and it was extremely pleasant. Then we waited at the end to give our congratulations to those graduates who were ours.

Graduating and living that experience was one of the most beautiful things I've ever lived. And I experienced it twice when I graduated from undergraduate and my first postgraduate degree at the Central University of Venezuela. They are indelible memories. And that when doing a search in my photos they allowed me to fly and get smiles, tears of joy, and, of course, laughter. Music has undoubtedly been and is an important part of my life, it balances me, comforts me, and motivates me. And on some occasions when it is shared it is further enhanced by generating well-being.

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