Happy New Year

Wow! 2010 was a year full of some losses, but many blessings for our church.  We started the year by losing Mrs. Mary Robinson to Heaven in January and ended the year with Mr. Robert Peters going to Heaven in December.  Our dear friend, Mrs. Connie Engelman went to Heaven after a battle with cancer.  Many have been sick, there have been surgeries, hospice care, emergency rooms, and near-death situations.  I have to say that throught all of this the atmosphere of our church has been positive and happy.
With my musician's personality, I have always focused on being accurate, to the point, and in sync with the music and director.  Sometimes this left no room for understanding, mercy or tolerance toward those without my exacting point of view.  I am not saying that I have decided to drop my standards, but I have decided to be happy and flexible when things aren't perfect or don't go exactly the way I plan or when people don't understand my way of thinking.
When choosing music to sing or play, the difficulty level of a song, performance presence, or the heavy-duty message of a song can overshadow the effect of the song.  Shouldn't the primary sounds a church member hears and the lasting memory of a service be one that is light-hearted and full of hope?  It shouldn't be, "Did you hear the technique of that musician?  I don't remember the song, but she sure held that high note longer than..."  I decided I don't want to choose a droll or unknown tune just because it shows off my technique or gives a "wow" factor.
When saying "Happy New Year", let's take it to heart.  Let's try to make those around us happier, let's make our loved ones happier,  let's leave people we meet out soul winning happier, let's leave our students happier in the classroom.
I'm all for a meaningful, spiritual, contributing, sacrificial life, but we must try to wrap our lives in a cheerful package of happiness. A series of happy days will lead to having an overall happy life in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II Chronicles 9: ³And when the queen of Sheba had seen 
the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, 
⁴And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, 
and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; 
his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent 
by which he went up into the house of the LORD; 
there was no more spirit in her. 
⁵And she said to the king, It was a true report 
which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, 
and of thy wisdom: ⁶Howbeit I believed not their words,
until I came, and mine eyes had seen it:
and, behold, the one half of the greatness 
of thy wisdom was not told me: 
for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. 
⁷Happy are thy men, and 
happy are these thy servants, 
which stand continually before thee, 
and hear thy wisdom. 
⁸Blessed be the LORD thy God, 
which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, 
to be king for the LORD thy God: 
because thy God loved Israel, 
to establish them for ever, 
therefore made he thee king over them, 
to do judgment and justice. 

Carols, Home, Holidays, a Funeral, and a Wedding

Music is a lot like food, you don't really think about it until you're hungry or until there's a need.  Me, I think about food all the time and music is the same.  It's not an obsession, just a part of life, like breathing.
The importance of music comes to the forefront, especially at Christmas time.  The holidays just wouldn't be the same if we didn't hear Christmas carols playing throughout our churches, homes, and places of business.   Although we love the Christmas music, it is more difficult to play and requires more practice...which reminds me... So, musicians, it is just an occupational hazard, we have to play "The First Noel" in the key of D major, almost just as written because each beat will have a different chord! In addition to the regular carols we are doing a Christmas cantata, it's been twenty-five years since the last one.  The LBT choir, adult ensembles, teen choir, and drama team will be presenting "Christmas at Home" by Ron Hamilton on December 19.
Just as Christmas wouldn't be the same without the carols, our church members' funerals need a special loving touch where music is concerned.  This week, Bro. Robert Peters, one of our faithful members and deacons, passed away of natural causes.  Today I took some time to make sure all of the piano and organ music was in order and appropriate for his service.  The order of service is ready and we are flexible to meet any of the family's requests.  This service will be held on Saturday, December 4, and we musicians will do our best to be a comfort and encouragement to the family and church membership.
Our daughter, Jessica, is getting married in two weeks.  This week was dedicated to getting all of her wedding music together and finalized.  Hey, since I'm the music coordinator shouldn't this be an easy job?  No, it's been one of the most difficult parts of this wedding.  It must be because she's been at every single wedding, heard every song sung - some good, some ... well, different.  I think we finally got it down.  I will have the opportunity to be on the listening side of the wedding music and I know that jut one song change would change the wedding atmosphere.  It is so powerful.
My husband, Scott, has been remodeling our den, which has created a domino effect.  I think I have straightened, stored, and thrown away all of the "dominos" that lost their places while we de-cluttered.  The one thing that was given priority was our CD collection.  Although downloaded onto mp3 players and computers, the cds in the cases are still valuable to me.  The Christmas music is some of our most precious, it is timeless and holds many memories.
Musicians, take your vitamins.  December is a music-filled month and needs our focus, rehearsals, and undivided attention.  Well, at least we can try!