Neither of my parents were musical in any way, so I grew up with almost no music in my life. An exception was our daily listening to The Happy Gang, a noon hour CBC program starring Bert Pearl, Eddie Allen, Blaine Mathe and Bobby Gimby. Lots of jumping music there!
Music came into my life with my first wife, Joan. From a very musical family, Joan introduced me to the classics, to opera, and to fine music generally. It was one of the many gifts she brought to our relationship. As a result of this gain in my experience, I came to experience fine music as 'soul food.'
Last evening, Beatrix and I travelled to Stettler, Alberta - a one hour drive - to hear and see the University of Alberta Mixed Chorus and Hand bell Choir perform. Although the gathering of University students seemed large to me, only about half the chorus was there because of summer jobs, studying, etc. They sang religious music, classics, show tunes, a folk song, and the U of A's official song.
As I say and let these beautiful sounds wash over me, I became aware of how long it has been since I heard and experienced good choral music. I also became aware of how much I miss this experience, and how much I felt 'fed' by these young people and their joyous and profound singing.
Of course, I couldn't help but reflect on the way music contributes to the soul-satisfaction of the worship experience, and how arid worship can be without the contribution of good music, especially choral music. The human voice is an instrument, and we use it far too often to argue, persuade, disagree and complain, and not often enough to lift the spirit with melody and expression.
I came away from the evening with a resolve to seek out and experience good choral music whenever and wherever I can. Too much of the music that surrounds my rural community is trite, homey, and rhythmic. Nothing wrong with any of it, it simply doesn't touch my soul the way it seems to touch many other people. Clearly, if I want the experience I crave, I will have to seek it out and go to it; it isn't likely to come to me where I am. Of course, I can turn to the many CDs of choral music that are in my home. Not the same as watching the bliss on young faces as they meld together in song, but much better than nothing at all. My message to day - for myself, if for no one else - is "seek and you shall find" the choirs, the choral groups, the voices, that I need to nourish and enrich my internal soul experience.
Music came into my life with my first wife, Joan. From a very musical family, Joan introduced me to the classics, to opera, and to fine music generally. It was one of the many gifts she brought to our relationship. As a result of this gain in my experience, I came to experience fine music as 'soul food.'
Last evening, Beatrix and I travelled to Stettler, Alberta - a one hour drive - to hear and see the University of Alberta Mixed Chorus and Hand bell Choir perform. Although the gathering of University students seemed large to me, only about half the chorus was there because of summer jobs, studying, etc. They sang religious music, classics, show tunes, a folk song, and the U of A's official song.
As I say and let these beautiful sounds wash over me, I became aware of how long it has been since I heard and experienced good choral music. I also became aware of how much I miss this experience, and how much I felt 'fed' by these young people and their joyous and profound singing.
Of course, I couldn't help but reflect on the way music contributes to the soul-satisfaction of the worship experience, and how arid worship can be without the contribution of good music, especially choral music. The human voice is an instrument, and we use it far too often to argue, persuade, disagree and complain, and not often enough to lift the spirit with melody and expression.
I came away from the evening with a resolve to seek out and experience good choral music whenever and wherever I can. Too much of the music that surrounds my rural community is trite, homey, and rhythmic. Nothing wrong with any of it, it simply doesn't touch my soul the way it seems to touch many other people. Clearly, if I want the experience I crave, I will have to seek it out and go to it; it isn't likely to come to me where I am. Of course, I can turn to the many CDs of choral music that are in my home. Not the same as watching the bliss on young faces as they meld together in song, but much better than nothing at all. My message to day - for myself, if for no one else - is "seek and you shall find" the choirs, the choral groups, the voices, that I need to nourish and enrich my internal soul experience.
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