Naomi's Notes - 09/14/08
There is a delightful innocence in children's musical perceptions. I thought you'd enjoy these:
Lisa reported to Church Council that she had nine Rainbow Ringers last Wednesday, with several more prospects. (Rainbow Ringers involves preschoolers and younger children ringing colored "handbells" when she holds up cards that match their assigned bell colors. The resulting chords are enhancements for recorded instrumental hymn arrangements, etc.) We all laughed when told that one preschooler was overheard after rehearsal saying to his siblings, "Whew! She sure makes those colors hard!"
In Georgia I was preparing our Older Children's Choir for a trip to a choral festival where they were to sing two anthems for adjudication. This was a really big deal for this choir of twenty or so. In our final rehearsal I was emphasizing teamwork and putting our best foot forward: "If you or someone else makes a big mistake, just keep singing and pretend it never happened - maybe the judges won't notice." One serious boy in the back row stopped me cold with his comment: "Oh, so you mean 'lie'!"
In a former church I personally led a preschool choir of about fifteen. A parent of one preschooler told me about peeking into her daughter's room one day, observing that she had lined up all her dolls on the bed and was "leading" them in a song she'd learned in choir. Through the years I've frequently seen small children sitting in the front pews mirroring my gestures as I've led congregational music. And recently, while chatting with folks in the sanctuary after a service, I looked up and saw two of our first grade girls playing on the rostrum area. They were taking turns standing behind my music stand, "conducting" the empty choir chairs. [It is said that imitation is the highest form of flattery, but I'm not only flattered, I'm feeling responsible as a role model, especially to the girls, for our future church music leaders.]
I've only had one anthem published: "Purer in Heart," unison/2-part with flute (despite multiple frustrated dealings with publishers--another story). A few years ago one of my seminary friends, Janie Benjamin, was directing the sixty-voice KBC Young Musicians Choir Camp at Cedarmore. She asked permission to use my anthem and invited me to their final concert, intending to introduce me as the composer. I was feeling quite honored.
When I arrived, Janie told me that the children were delighted when she told them that the composer was coming to the concert. Then, with a big grin on her face, she added that one little boy came up to her after rehearsal and gushed excitedly, "Is she coming in a limousine?!" We both laughed, and Janie said she promised to introduce him to me.
A few minutes later she called him over, and I reached down to shake hands with this cute little round-faced boy who was trembling with excitement at being introduced to me. (ME! Of all people!) Flattered by his innocent (mis)adulation, I couldn't help but chuckle at the wide-eyed, "star-struck" expression on his face. Sure made my day!
See you (and your children/grandchildren) in worship this Sunday -
Naomi