After a Small Break

     So, it's been a minute since I have been blogging (in fact, my daughter asked me why I haven't blogged).  I had started this blog with the idea to celebrate music, while singing it was still a risk.  Now, I am out there singing again, as getting so busy that I haven't thought about writing.  

That needs to change.

    Music needs to be celebrated all the time.  It gets us through the rough times and helps us to celebrate the great times.  One song that has been with me, and I appreciate even more now, is "Victor's Crown."  I had picked this song last year to be sung either on Easter, or Pentecost (or both) by our worship team.  Well, we all know what happened...my team was suspended and I wasn't sure if I would be able to sing or lead worship anytime soon (yes, Catholics can have worship teams).  

    As things began to reopen, and we got a little creative with expanding out musicians in a safe way, we were able to lead some worship and introduce this great song to our Parrish.  It talks about Jesus overcoming death and being the ultimate Victor.  After getting through a pandemic and knowing God is still on His throne, this song takes on additional meanings to me.  I hope you can worship with it as well.

Victor's Crown   

Timely Advice from Broadway

 Sometimes a song comes around that makes you have various thoughts.  One song that has done that lately is "Disappear" from Dear Evan Hassen.   Like going to the movies, I get to Broadway shows even less, so the only parts I've heard are during the Tony Awards and on XM Broadway radio.  The song is about keeping a young person's memory alive after they commit suicide.  

"Disappear"

As I have heard this song a few times now, it stirs a lot of different thoughts; here are a few:

• During the pandemic, there has been a mental health crisis, especially with young people, being our of school, and with the elderly, being secluded from their families.  People are dying from depression and loneliness.  We need to reach out to these populations and make sure that they know they are loved and that they DO matter.  We are all in this together and "no one deserves to be forgotten."  
• We are in an interesting time.  Social media has made all of out thoughts and comments last for an eternity.  I can say something now, and in a few years, if the opinion is not popular, and even if I don't believe it any longer and have evolved in my thinking, someone can come along and demand I be "Canceled."  This is so dangerous.  We are all sinners, we make mistakes.  In this "Cancel Culture" people appear to be guilty before proven innocent, and are loosing their jobs and livelihood before they can even have a chance to explain themselves, because an employer must distance themselves from a "toxic" person.  Now, I am not saying that what the person did was right, or that people shouldn't be punished for doing wrong, but "let the punishment fit the crime"; do not demand someone should be canceled, especially if you do no know all of the information (I am speaking to everyone here, not just one side of the political aisle).  Let's have discussion and healthy debate instead of not demanding a person be silenced.  People matter and people grow.  If people looked back at my life, I'm sure I have put my foot in my mouth a few times (this is still a weekly occurrence), but I have grown and matured, and when I realize I'm wrong, I say am wrong.  I humble myself and apologize to those involved.  No one should have to be judged by all of society for mistakes.  Don't dismiss people because of a disagreement.  Let people apologize and be able to grow.  Be willing to admit your wrong and grow.  It's how we all become a better society. 
• This week I watched someone in the last hours of their life.  HIPPA prevents me from saying much, but they were probably felt so alone as they laid there; feeling so tired from just breathing.  This pandemic is real, yes a lot of people survive, and that's amazing, but people are dying alone because family can not be close.  "No one deserves to be alone."  Keep following protocols.  Protect yourself and those around you, this sickness can take out families because of the way it is spread.  Thank those who are working in the healthcare facilities.  They have seen too much death and have watched too many die alone.  Numbers are improving and someday this will hopefully be a memory.  Keep hope alive, pray for an end to this and keep each other safe.

Like I said, some songs just make you think of a lot of different things and writing them down is a way that I process what I am thinking.  Hopefully you can find the message in this song and be inspired.

"From Now On"-An Anthem for Reconciliation

 A few years ago, a little film entitled "The Greatest Showman" was released.  Since I've had children, I've been to approximately two movies in the theater, so this was one that I didn't get to see until most people already had all the music memorized. Once I finally did manage to watch it, I understood all of the buzz.  This was the first original musical released in a long time and the music was addicting.  Even now, we are still hearing arrangements being used in commercials (i.e. Discovery+).

One song that caught my attention was "From Now on."  This is the last song of the movie, where the man character is coming to terms with the consequences of his mistakes.  He has an "A-ha" moment and must reconcile with all the people he has wronged: his wife, his kids, his business partner, and the "stars" of his circus.  He has literately lost everything and must humble himself before them to have any chance at restoring these relationships.  

How often do we offend God or others with out actions and words and what do we do to gain back what we have lost?  We must become vulnerable and humble ourselves before them and ask for forgiveness.  We must turn away from the past and correct of behavior.  

Allow me to be a little Catholic right now.  In our church, we do understand that only God forgives sins and we can come to him directly for forgiveness, but sometime there are sins that are so grave, that you have to go before a priest and confess them out loud.  The priest then acts In personae Christo, in the "Person of Christ" and forgives those sins during the sacrament of reconciliation.  Growing up Protestant, I never understood the purpose of this sacrament, but having decided become Catholic  participate in this, I now do.  Humbling oneself before another person and admitting sins out loud is scary, but so healing.   You don't want to repeat those sins again, because the sacrament is not an easy one-most would say it's their least favorite sacrament.  When the priest tells you that those sins are forgiven (Because God forgives you), it is the most relief you could ever feel.   

There is a video of the cast of "The Greatest Showman" singing From Now On  in front of potential producers, in order to get the greenlight to make the film.  The energy of this song is inspirational and I imagine that this is how God and the angels celebrate when someone confesses their sins and seeks forgiveness.   

If you have something that you are ashamed of and want forgiveness.  Take the step and go before those who you have wronged and seek reconciliation.  You will feel better and be one step closer to restoring the relationship. 

If you have offended God, pray for forgiveness and begin the healing process.

If you are Catholic, go to confession.  Its hard, but don't you want to reconcile with the One who made you?

Enjoy the video and see how the heavens rejoice. (there is also a great story about why Hugh Jackman was sitting out the song...but even he couldn't resist to join in)

From Now On

Let's Sing Together Again

     Throughout my 40 years on this planet (still coming to grips that I'm 40, but that's for another day), I have been blessed to sing with many different choirs.  Growing up, I started singing in the Cherub choir around 4-5 years old and worked my way through all the church choir (and my mom directed most of them).  I also sang in school choir, camp choirs, convention choirs and then traveled to Europe during high school with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp international choir in 1997.  For several years in high school and post college I sang with the Midland, MI Choral.  In college, I sang with the choir for a year (I played hand bells for most of my 4 years).  When I moved to Virginia, I sang in several church choirs and spent several seasons with The Virginia Beach Choral.  

    There is something magical when voices come together, and though many different parts are sung, the tones, and harmonies can hit you deep in the soul and touch your heart like few things can.  Goosebumps form and tears slide down your face when you hear the perfect notes and the most beautiful words ever written.  

    I never though I would loose the ability to sing with others.  Even though I am busy at work and can't sing with every group that I want to, up until 2020, I could at least find time to sing with one group.  Choral singing has been a victim of the pandemic and a loss that we probably all feel, but probably don't think about.  It's a loss for the singers and those we bring joy too.  Singing together brings unity, team work, and a common goal.  The result of months of practice is seeing your audience sit in awe and wonder.  

    When all of this is over and it's safe to sing in a room, I will rejoice and smile, as I can once again join friends, sing various parts, and come together for the magical moments that music brings.

There is a song that we have sung with the Virginia Beach Choral that just gives me shivers when I hear it.  It's the perfect combination of lyrics and harmonies that will leave no eye dry in the house.  If one person is off, the song doesn't work and the magic is gone.  The King singers, (and a few friends) recorded it last year for a virtual choir and it exemplifies everything written above.  Please sit back and enjoy "And So It Goes" by Billy Joel arr. Bob Chilcott (I have sung this live and dream of doing it again) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HINNVwddDJU

    

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art; Thou my best thought, by day or by night; Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light