Sounds of Music – June 2010
“Most of our troubles are due to our passionate desire for and attachment to things we misapprehend as enduring entities.” ~ Dalai Lama
“Attach to the idea of living well moment-to-moment. That’s an attachment that can do you no harm.” ~ Lori Deschene
These two quotes are taken from the reflections on “Letting Go of Attachment” given during the All-Music Services May 16. These are ideas I need to learn and integrate into my way of being in the world. And as I said on Sunday, it is no simple undertaking – not a one-time decision, like pulling off a band-aid. Instead, it is a moment-to-moment commitment that involves changing the way I experience and interact with everything I instinctively want to grasp.
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all the fine musicians who were magnificent Sunday, and to all of you who were there to help lift and inspire and allow the spirit to move. Singing “Amazing Grace” together at the end of the service was beautiful and transforming.
I am grateful to Bob Gross and Liz Lindau for their lovely music composed by Amy Beach. We have been graced by their exquisite music in several services this year and hope to hear more from them in the future. It was wonderful to hear Sam Scott sing “Way Over Yonder” and accompany herself on the piano. This was a first for her and I love the way our church is supportive of allowing people to grow and expand and try new things. Speaking of which, I will never forget Wendy Repass’ and Scott DeVeaux’s impromptu sung words of welcome during the 11:15 AM service. Oh, how I would love to have a recording of that!
The solemn beauty of the “Robin’s Song” and the contagious, enthusiastic, uplifting music of the jigs by Terra Voce were wonderful gifts. And we are so blessed to have the talents of Mike Dunn, Liz Lindau, Wendy, and Scott as our accompanists and our singers. They are awesome!
Our Adult Choir, Voices of Community, deserves so much appreciation and gratitude for all they do to go above and beyond the call of duty in preparing their music. They are dedicated and committed and often work outside of rehearsals with the tapes I provide and work very hard so they can do what I ask of them — “be the music”. Several members were sick or out of town and we missed them, but I was happy that Karen Philhour, who was sick, was still able to be there and sing her solo so beautifully.
Lastly, I want to lift up the Music Committee for their hard work this spring. I treasure them and appreciate their guidance and support during these challenging times.
This next year will be very different and I will be teaching piano and voice for beginners and starting several auditioned choral groups to make ends meet. The Music Committee and I will do the best we possibly can with the music ministry at TJMC.
All the best,
KaeRenae Mitchell
Director of Music
434-293-8179, 4#
music@uucharlottesville.org