In high school, I was Mr. Choir Boy. I had solos, I was helping

In the words of Lucas Grabeel, “In high school, I was Mr. Choir Boy. I had solos, I was helping out the tenors with their parts and our choir teacher would ask me what songs we should do.” This simple remembrance carries within it the seeds of wisdom, for it speaks of youth, of responsibility, and of the burden and blessing of talent. It is not merely a boast of past glory, but a window into the shaping of a soul, who through harmony and song, learned the ways of leadership and the weight of expectation.

To be called Mr. Choir Boy is not a small thing. It marks one as chosen, not by crown or sword, but by voice—the most ancient instrument gifted by the gods. The choir is no battlefield of blood, yet it is a battlefield of harmony, where each voice must be tuned to another. In such places, leaders rise not by decree, but by necessity, for when a chorus falters, one must step forward, guiding the notes and steadying the trembling hearts of those unsure. Lucas Grabeel, in his youth, became that guide, entrusted by his teacher to bear responsibility beyond his years.

Consider the solos he sang. A solo is not merely a performance; it is the moment when a single voice dares to stand alone, without the shield of the choir, vulnerable to the judgment of the crowd. To sing alone requires not only skill, but courage—the courage to risk failure in the pursuit of beauty. Such moments forge character, for they teach that greatness does not come from avoiding the stage, but from embracing it. In this, we are reminded of the young David before the Israelites, who stood alone against Goliath with only a sling. His courage was not the absence of fear, but the refusal to let fear silence him.

And what of helping the tenors with their parts? This act reveals the truer measure of leadership: service. The world often imagines leaders as those who command, but the wiser path shows leaders as those who uplift. By guiding his fellow singers, Lucas was not exalting himself, but ensuring the strength of the group. This echoes the tale of Pericles of Athens, who though hailed as a master orator, was known most of all for fostering the voices of others, building a city where arts, learning, and collective greatness thrived. True leadership is not domination, but harmony.

The choir teacher too holds meaning in this story, for teachers are the unseen architects of destiny. That she turned to her student for guidance—asking him which songs to choose—shows a profound trust. The teacher who allows a student’s wisdom to guide the path demonstrates humility, and in turn, awakens greatness in the pupil. Here lies a lesson: authority that clings to control withers, but authority that empowers flourishes. In Rome, Marcus Aurelius wrote that the best ruler is one who rules himself first, and in that self-mastery, guides others gently toward virtue.

Thus, this quote is not merely a recollection of high school days, but a parable of becoming. It shows us how the smallest stages—the classrooms, the rehearsals, the local choirs—can be the proving grounds of destiny. For those who rise faithfully in the small tasks will be entrusted with greater ones. The harmony of a choir is but a reflection of the harmony of a life, where each choice, each word, each act must blend with the greater music of the world.

From this, let the reader take a lesson: embrace the stage given to you, however humble it may seem. Whether it is in song, in work, or in life’s daily duties, do not shrink from the solos entrusted to you, nor neglect the chance to guide those who falter. Let your courage be tempered with humility, your leadership with service, and your voice with harmony. And in practice, seek three actions: cultivate your craft until you can stand alone with confidence, uplift those around you until their song grows strong, and honor the teachers who shape you, for their trust is sacred.

In this way, like the young Mr. Choir Boy, you will find that the music of your youth becomes the wisdom of your age, and the harmony you create in small circles will echo outward, shaping a world more beautiful, more courageous, and more true.