Making Spirits Bright!
Getting into the spirit of the holidays often means changing the decor around your house both inside and out! As we imagine, plan and decorate for the holidays--whatever tradition you may celebrate--music is a way to immediately change the ambience and create that holiday mood. The power of music can move us to bring happiness, and it can also sooth us in times of sorrow. We value the arts because it is an important way to express our human emotions when words themselves do not seem to communicate our deepest feelings. Likewise art forms such as dance, poetry, visual arts---can just capture the deepest and sometimes also brief moments of any human emotion. It is this need for expression that drives us to study music, take lessons, play an instrument, sing together, etc.
I am struck by how many non-Western European cultures have a deep root in using music as part of their daily and spiritual lives. I attended a Bar Mitzvah at Temple Beth Zion in Brookline and it was remarkable at how many of the prayers are sung. When I think of weddings and memorial services, I am always wondering what kind of music is being planned as this brings a unique and special connection to the people who attend the gathering. As you plan around your holidays, what music will you have?
Last weekend the Waban Library Center celebrated its holiday lights. Led by our musicianship faculty member Rose Hegele, we sang holiday songs to brighten and celebrate the mood of the season. For many of us, being asked to perform spontaneously may not be a comfortable situation. Plan ahead and choose a few pieces or songs to prepare in advance and "know" that these can be the musical responses to the "spontaneous" request for music. Allow yourselves and your children to explore different songs and different repertoire outside of the Suzuki books. It is a wonderful time to appreciate all that our students have learned and the skills they have acquired to figure out music by ear.
My childhood memories are filled with the singing we did as a family, or sometimes just my mother and I, around the piano. This is something we can all do if we make the time. There are several solo recitals this weekend,a Catie Curtis folk music concert next Friday, and a New Philharmonia Celebrations concert with members of the Boston Ballet School next Sunday. There are so many ways that this may brighten our mood and bring good cheer.
My vision of the world is to see and hear music shared by all families, by all households, or just a person alone, as a way to lift the spirit. As we experience this holiday season, I hope that music will bring peace and joy to all of you.
Sachiko
