REFLECTIONS
Music lifts our spirits in times of trouble T
hroughout history, times of crisis have left countless generations lost and afraid and by any reasonable measure, we are living in a time of crisis now. And, like past generations, each of us shares this fear and despair as we trudge onward toward an uncertain future. Yet crisis isn’t entirely bad; it brings opportunity, too, and one thing that has united us during this rotten pandemic, is music. Music, it seems, has
Mark
LEITHEISER COLUMNIST
been the universal salve to help heal our world, and like most medicines, it takes many different
DIGNITY • INDEPENDENCE • AFFORDABLE • COMFORT • SECURITY A about our Ask A Amazing Move In Special Newly Expanded Newly Remodeled Senior Independent Living S Apartments Available A
“This Christmas give yourself the gift of Comfort and Security.”
on t h F i r s t M en t FREE R nu of Me Plus a fits to Bene rom* ef choos
CALL FOR YOUR TOUR TODAY!
forms. We’ve heard children singing and enjoyed free concerts from balconies and street corners. We’ve been treated to free concerts by opera stars as well as country music singers, “Hey y’all, wuz up?” Music, it seems, truly is a universal language that touches each of us, especially in times of need. Inspired by these musicians, I considered my own musical background to see what I might offer the world. Sadly, I was found wanting. My troubles started in the elementary school choir where I sang soprano while most of the other boys sang tenor and baritone. The girls, for their part, were unimpressed. After humiliating myself at the school concert, I decided to call it a career. Years later I broke my vow of musical celibacy by singing in the church choir. I only agreed to this when I was promised I wouldn’t have to o sing soprano. This went ent reasonably well until, inspired by my work as a tenor, nor, I suggested ted I wass ready for a solo. In response, esponse, I was quietly told I, “didn’t have a prayer.” Last rites for my musical career? Not quite. One of the requirements equirements of a liberal
arts college is a bit of musical training. After bluffing my way through Musical Appreciation (cheating is such an ugly word), I thought I was done with singing, but once again, fate had other plans. Really bad ones. A final review of my college credits revealed a hole in my transcript. I would have to take a semester of voice lessons in order to graduate. Worse, to complete the credit I would have to give a vocal recital to a gaggle of coldhearted music professors. Nothing could have prepared me for this and, as it turned out, for them either. After twisting an agreement out of a friend to be my pianist, I nervously padded across campus looking like a criminal about to face a firing squad. I had chosen Mendelssohn’s “O Rest in the Lord” in hopes of impressing my judges with my musical sophistication. It didn’t work. Problems began immediately when my pianist failed to show. After an uncomfortable few minutes, my judges suggested I sing without the aid of a pianist. At this point I would have actually preferred a firing squad, Music to 9
301 Glen St SW, Hutchinson • 320-234-7588 • poprl.org *Terms and Conditions Apply
8
Zest • December 2020
