I had a concert last night. It was set up collage style; the band played, the choir sang, the band played, the choir sang, etc. Then we ended the concert with a piece by both the band and the choir. While I was listening to the choir, my mind wandered.
This idea of music, intricate melodies laced with harmonies. Repetitive pulses driving the tempo forward or holding it back. Different instruments working together to build beautiful chords and intentional dissonances. Parts of the band playing decrescendos while other parts of the band crescendo into phrases. Using the different sounds of objects in percussion to create tones and melodies without air. Speeding up and slowing down air and articulating the air with the tongue while coordinating it with the fingers. Then add the choir. The sharpness of the staccato syllables, and the smoothness of the legato chords. Climbing and descending the scales to create glorious melodies and intricate harmonies. \
All of it fits together to create breathtaking sounds known to us as music. But in order for it to fit the way it is supposed to, the band members sit, semi-circle inside semi-circle, rows and rows right up to a large music stand and a little box, upon which one person stands, holding a thin stick in their right hand, both hands raised, then moving in what seems to be chaotic movements to the naked eye. But to the musician, these movements are time, rhythm, direction, cues; this is the One we follow. This is the One among all of us who has everyone's part written out in front of Him. This is the only One who can see how it all is supposed to fit together. In fact, if you play an upper wind, and I a lower, we may never meet, see each other, hear each others' parts directly, but still, they are important to the piece; they affect each other, even if we never realize it.
In order for us as a band, from percussion to low, middle, high, woodwind, brasswind, all of us to work together as a team to create this beautiful sound picture, we must not be facing each other, no. Yes, it does help us some to listen around and pay attention to what others are doing, back them up, support them, enhance their part, however, facing them directly and expecting our guidance and help to come from them just doesn't cut it, especially since they too are trying to get their part in, as close to perfect as possible. In fact, we must all look at and face the One who stands above all of us, watching us carefully, hands raised, moving, cuing us, orchestrating our parts. If you get lost, don't worry! That's what He's there for, cueing, conducting, keeping you on track, ready to guide you back if you lose your place. Try not to though; you'll miss out on some great sections of the piece if you get lost!
Oh! And the absolute best part of all, the One up there on the podium, baton in hand, conducting, directing, orchestrating us as a band, He's the Composer! Yeah! That's right! We are playing under the best director we could be! What an Honor! Not only does He see all the parts and know all the parts, but He understands what is not written in the score! He understands the story behind the music, behind that sweet and light, sometimes bitter and dark sound. He knows how to conduct with emotion and feeling, because He KNOWS! He gets it! He understands it, as well he should; He wrote it! AND (it gets better), He CHOSE you and me to play the parts He gave us! No one is doubling another part...each is different and unique to the musician, and they all fit together. And instead of being known for your instrument and chair number, with that distinction on your music, it's simply your name. The name He has for you. You play your part, I'll play mine, and together, we'll watch the One up there, on the podium, hands raised, baton ready, let's go.
One more thing, the name of the piece: Life (On Earth)
