Tonight was Rev changeover dinner. I’m pretty glad not to be President anymore. But it’s made me look back on the Rev times over the four years I’ve been around (can it really be four years? I still feel 18.), and think about all that Rev has been to me.
Freshers’ Fair, 2006. I was thinking of perhaps auditioning for Sinfonia. But instead, I ended up at Freshers’ rehearsal, playing ridiculous games, singing ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Lord Reign in Me’, and eating party rings. Quickly, I was hooked- because uni was turning out to not be anything I’d expected- I had no real friends, my course hugely disappointed me, and I got ill. I was utterly miserable, and found myself living for Tuesday evenings. I was shy at first, but by the 1st concert I knew that this was really where I belonged… and these were the people with whom I belonged. They made me feel like I mattered from the very beginning, and quite apart from that, they made me laugh when times were very dark.
And since then, I’ve grabbed the opportunities I’ve been offered, to organise weekend away, to be on concert committee to conduct and teach and sing solos, to play in the band, to do the dance (which was a debacle and a half), to be vice president and ultimately President. But Rev has given me more than things I can put on my cv.
It has given me songs for every occasion.
It has provided some incredibly surreal moments.
It has made me laugh until I cry, repeatedly.
It has given me someone I love more than anyone.
It has taught me how to do tequila shots.
It has made me feel worthwhile.
It has shown me new things about God.
It has broadened my musical horizons.
It has helped me develop (some) patience.
It has shown me the bad and the good in myself.
It has kept me at uni.
It has been the key ingredient of some of the best days of my life.
It has given me friends who are for life. And the ‘it’ above really means them. The people I’ve met from around the world who have touched my life in so many ways and without whom I cannot imagine life these days.
And no, it hasn’t all been perfect. I’ve been frustrated and sad and angry at times. But that’s not what I’ll remember about Rev when my time comes to disappear. I’ll remember the hysterical laughter, the acceptance, and the love. I’ll also remember several parts to ‘rejoice rejoice’. And I’ll keep the people, of that much I’m sure. I can’t wait to come back to Rev’s 25th birthday party in a decade’s time, with my rev-peers. Because I am pretty sure it’ll last that long, and certain none of us will ever forget it.
So here’s to the future of Edinburgh Revelation… and to all who sail in her 
