I admit the past few months have been stressful and for lots of reasons. Campaigns and elections, elderly aunt and nursing homes, rotator cuff impingement and physical therapy. What’s missing?
Music! Music is what’s missing!
Our community band preformed the Christmas concert way back at the beginning of December, and then we were off until the kids at our local school district went back to school after the holidays. This year that wasn’t until January 9th, and the first Tuesday after that the schools were closed due to weather. So no rehearsal. And the Tuesday after that it snowed again, the schools closed again, and so again we didn’t rehearse.
To be honest, while I was dealing with everything else I was secretly glad we weren’t in rehearsal. What I didn’t realize was that I was missing those weekly infusions of music. I’d forgotten how music fixes things.
So this week we went back to work, a little worried about the extended delay in starting, a little worried about a concert approaching faster than we had planned. And guess what? We sounded pretty darn good. Sure there’s lots to work on, but still, the sound was big and round and full. People were smiling.
I have a feeling I wasn’t the only one glad to be playing with the group again. One of the pieces we’re working on is Undertow by John Mackey. If you’d like to smile a bit too, take a 5 minute break from your stressful life and take a listen to a band in Texas doing justice to the piece.
And then maybe let some other music help ease your personal angst. Check out your local high school; odds are there’s a concert scheduled near you. The young people there love to play or sing to a full house, so stop by and support them and you’ll feel some stress slide away.
Guaranteed.
January 26, 2017 at 7:59 am
What instrument do you play? I always wished I played something….alas, nothing.
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January 26, 2017 at 12:45 pm
Never too late to learn! Here the local piano store has lessons for adults who have never played music…might be something like that where you live!
I play clarinet, have since I was 10…so that’s a very very long time!
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January 26, 2017 at 8:17 pm
Growing up, my best friend played piano, and taught me to play the right hand of ‘Heart and Soul.’ Turns out everyone knows how to play the right hand of Heart and Soul. Whatever…. 😀
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January 26, 2017 at 8:24 pm
Lol
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January 26, 2017 at 8:20 am
Playing.
Together.
In Harmony.
Yes. Perfect antidote.
Brilliant.
Thank you.
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January 26, 2017 at 12:46 pm
I was surprised, but shouldn’t have been, how much better it made me feel. That’s happened to me before, but I had forgotten. And I’m so overly stressed now I just figured I’d be that way forever.
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January 26, 2017 at 9:46 am
So true. Music helps the soul
Lily & Edward
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January 26, 2017 at 12:46 pm
It certainly does. Whether playing or listening. Though I prefer playing myself.
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January 26, 2017 at 10:53 am
I am happy glad for you. Perhaps I’ll turn some music on today.
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January 26, 2017 at 12:48 pm
Good morning Carol! I’ve got old fashioned country music playing in the back, because Aunt Vi has requested to have some, so yesterday I went out and got her a couple of CDs with ‘legendary’ country music singers. She said she didn’t want the ‘stuff they play today’ and I was lucky to find this tin of 3 cds in the back of the country music sale bin. So I am checking it out to make sure it plays. It does. 🙂
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January 26, 2017 at 3:38 pm
Quality control, right?
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January 26, 2017 at 7:27 pm
Right
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January 26, 2017 at 11:22 am
My day isn’t complete (or very enjoyable!) without music. Might not be playing it, but I’m certainly listening to it, tapping my toes, pretend-conducting, and so forth!
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January 26, 2017 at 12:48 pm
Ha! I was pretend conducting something last night…can’t remember what. Funny how you get into a piece and suddenly you’re no longer home but in a concert hall.
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January 27, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Thank you for the reminder, Dawn. I need more music in my life, too. Maybe I’ll pick up that penny whistle I was trying to learn how to play. It’s been years. I think it would be a wonderful distraction. 🙂
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January 27, 2017 at 6:06 pm
That would be fun Robin! Or take M and go see a concert somewhere near. Or both.
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January 30, 2017 at 10:25 pm
I like Christmas for music because it’s about the only time that I actually think about taking out some CDs and having them play as the background to my home life. I really liked it this year for some reason, so followed up with playing some non-Christmas music. Maybe I’ll do some more.
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