The holidays are long gone, people are taking down lights and trees, putting away ornaments and tinsel and prized family heirlooms. Our community band’s holiday concert was way back on December 20th, barely a memory now. Up here in Michigan we’re hunkering down for the long cold winter, with not a lot to lighten the mood.
Unless you’re me.
You see, Tuesday evening the band’s sound engineer gave me my copy of the CD recorded at that Christmas concert. And today as I ran errands I listened to the music for the first time. Magic. This afternoon I drove much further and longer than I needed to in order to listen to the entire concert.
Twice.
And I’m still smiling
So thank you to the Clarkston Community Band for making such beautiful music, and thanks to Marshall for making CDs for us. And thanks to Shelley for choosing the program and directing it, and for inspiring us to do the very best we can.
This winter, if I need a pick-me-up, I know just what to do. I’ll put that Christmas CD in the player and take myself for a long ride.
May the spirit of Christmas keep you warm and happy until the spring sun comes back this way to brighten your days!
Change Is Hard 
January 11, 2018 at 2:14 pm
Love this one, Dawn! Can hardly wait until I can play with our community band — probably ought to check if somebody makes a recording of some type, too.
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January 11, 2018 at 2:23 pm
If they do it’s worth whatever the cost (here he charges 10/cd) to buy one after each concert. You’d be amazed at what your group sounds like. From your section you don’t always hear everything when you’re in the middle of it.
I’m so excited, can’t wait to read all about your experiences with the band. When do you start rehearsals?
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January 11, 2018 at 2:26 pm
There’s like a beginner’s band/music majors on secondary instruments/retired folks ensemble that’s supposed to start practice later this month. At last check, they have one flute … me. I can’t support an entire band! I hope they’re trying to find somebody else for the section. And yes, I’ll definitely be blogging about it — I’m already shivering (and not just from the cold!)
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January 11, 2018 at 2:56 pm
I’d be nervous too if I was the only clarinet…but remember it’s a beginning band for secondary instruments….so everyone is nervous. Don’t judge anything by the first rehearsal. Got to at least 2 or 3. Plus think of this as a way for you to get comfortable with the flute…and then if this group doesn’t work out you can move on to another group.
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January 11, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Thanks for the outstanding advice, my friend! I’m already trying to familiarize myself with the music — YouTube is fabulous!
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January 11, 2018 at 8:03 pm
The magic of music. This was lovely, Dawn.
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January 12, 2018 at 10:10 am
Thank you!
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January 11, 2018 at 8:18 pm
Your like a little ray of sunshine up there in the great North!
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January 12, 2018 at 10:10 am
Some of the time anyway.
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January 11, 2018 at 10:37 pm
Music! Yes! I continually forget about music being such a great way to get me out of any “stuckness” or just to lighten and brighten the day. In fact I just now put on some of my favorite classical music, just because of your post, Dawn, and I’m already happier. Whether it’s something that makes me want to dance or something that makes me feel hopeful about the world (or my corner of it) or something that just makes me happier, music makes all the difference. I played piano and flute in my youth, neither of them particularly well tho I was in the college marching band. I recently bought a tenor recorder to take along when RV-ing, especially boondocking. I envision a circle of bear and elk and eagles, all sitting quietly and listening. 🙂
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January 12, 2018 at 10:11 am
Glad it worked for you! I think the bear and elk and eagles will enjoy!
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January 12, 2018 at 9:57 am
I can associate with the longer drive in order to listen to music!
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