The director of a singing group at Roberts Wesleyan College is reflecting on the Notre Dame Cathedral fire, just a few weeks ahead of a trip where they will sing across France.
The Roberts Wesleyan Chorale was scheduled to open their tour at Notre Dame on May 14.
Adam Potter, director of choral activities at the college, said his initial response was motivated a bit by their trip, but quickly turned to disbelief that “800 years of history were being destroyed within a day.” He said the whole group was looking forward to performing in that space.
Potter is grateful, though, that he had been to the cathedral before in 2004.
"I just remember standing in front of the cathedral completely in awe of its grandeur, how it sort of rises from the earth and just seems to keep going and keep going and keep going," Potter said.
He remembered climbing the towers on that initial visit.
“And getting to the top and staring out over the city alongside the gargoyles. It’s an experience,” Potter recalled. “And it’s an unforgettable one; here I am 15 years later vividly recalling it."
Looking forward, Potter said this event has given their group’s trip a renewed purpose. The Chorale will still play the other shows they have booked in France.
"I think that we will be traveling to France at a time when the French people are in need of healing, are in need of comfort,” Potter said. “And there are so few forces in this world as capable of healing and comfort as music."