I sang a Christmas concert last Sunday.
I've been singing this concert for, um.....20 years. Maybe more. I'm not sure.
I have mixed emotions about this concert. On the one hand, I love the opportunity. On the other hand, because this concert always features a mix of classical and popular music, I have to really focus my preparation. Then there's the fact that it is always on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and to be honest, I am never mentally ready for Christmas music that soon after Thanksgiving. I know - First World problems. Obviously, I get over it.
The concert went very well this year. I figured out one way to raise my excitement level - retail therapy! Yup, a Black Friday deal gave me a new outfit to wear. So I looked good and I sang even better. Fine.
But.
At the post-concert reception (which features the best cookies on the planet. And they're FREE.), a woman approached me. She looked me in the eye and said, "I really didn't want to come today. I was having a bad day and I definitely wasn't in the mood for Christmas music. But I have to tell you, your singing lifted my spirits."
I noticed the tiniest of tears gathering in her eyes. She continued, "I feel so much better now. I think I'm going to make it. Thank you."
Thank you, Universe, for the reminder. Why me? Because my music, my art, my creativity might just change a life.
As you wander through this holiday season - especially those of you that are singing Messiah for the 6,392nd time or performing 80+ performances of Christmas Carol, or singing Angels We Have Heard On High for the 45,368th time - remind yourself that you also might be changing a life with your music, your story-telling, your art, your creativity.
Or even just a look in someone's eyes.
I've been singing this concert for, um.....20 years. Maybe more. I'm not sure.
I have mixed emotions about this concert. On the one hand, I love the opportunity. On the other hand, because this concert always features a mix of classical and popular music, I have to really focus my preparation. Then there's the fact that it is always on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and to be honest, I am never mentally ready for Christmas music that soon after Thanksgiving. I know - First World problems. Obviously, I get over it.
The concert went very well this year. I figured out one way to raise my excitement level - retail therapy! Yup, a Black Friday deal gave me a new outfit to wear. So I looked good and I sang even better. Fine.
But.
At the post-concert reception (which features the best cookies on the planet. And they're FREE.), a woman approached me. She looked me in the eye and said, "I really didn't want to come today. I was having a bad day and I definitely wasn't in the mood for Christmas music. But I have to tell you, your singing lifted my spirits."
I noticed the tiniest of tears gathering in her eyes. She continued, "I feel so much better now. I think I'm going to make it. Thank you."
Thank you, Universe, for the reminder. Why me? Because my music, my art, my creativity might just change a life.
As you wander through this holiday season - especially those of you that are singing Messiah for the 6,392nd time or performing 80+ performances of Christmas Carol, or singing Angels We Have Heard On High for the 45,368th time - remind yourself that you also might be changing a life with your music, your story-telling, your art, your creativity.
Or even just a look in someone's eyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment