By Johanna (Johnson) Rehbaum, Concentus Member
I moved to Rochester two and a half years ago to serve as a pastor of two small, Lutheran churches in Webster. One of the first things I did upon arrival was search for a women’s choir to join. I had been blessed with this sort of community in previous times of my life, and thought it would be a good way to connect with my new city, my new home. Now, my participation in Concentus, and spending time with these knock-your-socks-off amazing women, is one of the greatest delights about my life in Rochester. I love the music we create, but it’s possible I love the women even more. They span the gamut from liberal to conservative, from professional singer to trained amateur, from schoolteacher to executive, from mid-20s to 60s… and each woman has an incredible story that would make a coffee date with her the highlight of your week. They inspire me, push and challenge me, make me laugh, make me cry for joy, make me glad to be a part of all that they are. Even as I write this, I am getting teary!
I could go on and on about how remarkable each of these women and the group as a whole are, but this has been most apparent to me in a particular recent experience in my life. When I was sixteen, I was treated with radiation for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In 2012, fourteen years later, I developed breast cancer as a result of the radiation. Over the course of 15 months, I tried several things in hopes of keeping my breasts, but ended up having to have bilateral mastectomies – one in May, one in October, and in the August between, I married my fiancé (it was a big year!).
Finding a Community
When I first inquired about singing with Concentus, I could not have known how important this community of women would be to me. But during this enormous year in my life, I have been surrounded by their love, joy, concern, laughter, prayers, healing thoughts, generosity, and care. When I threw a “farewell party” for my breast before my surgery, they came, bringing boob-themed food, games, and gifts. They came to help us celebrate our wedding. They visited me while I was stuck at home recovering and unable to make it to rehearsals. They gave me rides before I was able to drive myself. They called just to check up on me. They offered me thoughtful and timely gifts, like button up shirts that wouldn’t need to go over my head while my mobility was limited, a certificate for a healing massage, a day out with a friend at a tea room, money toward the tattoo I intend to get so I will think of beauty, not cancer, when I look in the mirror, and even a night out at Geva Theatre with my new husband. And they rejoiced the first day I returned to rehearsal, smiling and giving me gentle hugs.
Truly, these women and their thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit and resources overwhelm me. Concentus is an incredible sisterhood to be a part of.
Concentus Women's Chorus 