Beauty in the Eyes or Ears of the Audience

The Music Lesson

Late last week, I received an invitation from my son’s second grade teacher to go to his “Mini Recorder Concert” at the school. This was the first I heard he was playing a recorder. So I showed up Monday afternoon not knowing what to expect.

The second, third, and fourth graders were all divided into sections on the stage, with Learn the Recorder books on their stands. Although the music teacher asked them to be quiet, they all did a sort of warm-up of their own accord.

She explained that they would be playing in order of difficulty, starting with a one-note song. This was played by all three grades, pretty much on cue, but with many early or late on their execution. The next song had two notes, and the third song had three; this was the extent of the second graders’ expertise.

I watched the children’s faces as they played. Although the sound bordered on cacophonous, the looks on their faces were beautiful. They all looked so intent on mastering their notes. This was especially impressive with the boys, who usually are seen clowning around.

The second graders were ushered off the stage as the third and fourth graders played a few songs of intermediate difficulty. Then the third graders left, leaving the fourth graders to play a few more advanced songs, culminating with Amazing Grace.

I watched the music teacher’s face as she conducted. She was so patient, and so proud of them for having come so far. She explained that it was a little more difficult than she had thought they could achieve, but she had decided to try it anyway.

If you didn’t have a child there and just heard a recording of this concert, you might have covered your ears. But there is a beauty to be found in such an event that cannot quite be explained.

My son got to bring his recorder home after the concert. I found that he really did know how to read – and play - the music. It suddenly made sense to me why he had caught up so quickly to my older daughter in their piano lessons. I have the foresight and forbearance of one music teacher to thank.

Judith
Chapter 16
1
"Strike up the instruments, a song to my God with timbrels, chant to the Lord with cymbals; Sing to him a new song, exalt and acclaim his name.”

Christmas Carol Meme

I got this from MacBeth’s Opinion.

1. Love 'em, hate 'em, tolerate 'em, or...?
Love them! All of them!

2. Policy: none before Christmas, none before Thanksgiving, or...?
None before Thanksgiving. I take out my "Book of Golden Christmas" to start practicing the day after Thanksgiving.

3. Favorite? Favorites, if you've got more than one?
Any of the ones I can play on the piano. I like all the classics. O Holy Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, Silent Night, etc.

4. Least favorite? Drives you batty/hate it/turn it off if it comes on the radio?
Santa Got Run Over by a Reindeer (Of course, this does not constitute a Christmas Carol – songs that are not hymns are referred to as Christmas Songs. I like many Christmas Songs from the kids’ Christmas specials.)

5. Caroling door to door in neighborhood? Ever done it/would do it? Wouldn't even consider it?
Have done it and would do it again. I keep cookies on hand in case they come by, which is seldom.

6. Funniest kids' rendition, if any?
Kids used to add “like a lightbulb” at the end of every phrase in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. I never really understood why this was funny. I don’t like the “Batman Smells” version of “Jingle Bells” because I think it’s disrespectful.

7. Most inappropriate carol ever heard in a church setting (Catholic or otherwise)?
I can’t think of any.

8. The one foreign language carol I know (or know best) is...?
Does “JOY / Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach count? (There are no words but the title was originally foreign.)

9. Carol that perplexes you the most?
The Twelve Days of Christmas. I know they were supposedly code for the catechism at a time when Christians were being persecuted. I need to educate myself on the meanings of these verses. There is a thorough explanation here.

10. Carol your whole family will sing?
Any and all.

Consider yourself tagged if you’d like to copy this and post your own answers to your blog.