Last week, my wife and I attended my daughter’s college band concert. Interestingly, we came because of our daughter, knew that she appeared to be contributing, but never recognized a single note that she played. Why! My daughter wrote the following in her college essay:
Music not only shows passion and reveals the heart of a writer and performer, but it shows the necessity of teamwork in a band. All instruments rely on each other to create a unified sound. The second trombone relies on the first trombone. The first clarinet relies on the second and third clarinets. Not only do the individual parts rely on their instruments’ other parts, but also the woodwinds rely on the brass. Without the brass the band would not have the dark, rich sound they provide. Without the bass sounds from the brass, the winds would produce only the high melodic tune. Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, for example, would lack something without both the brass and woodwinds. When playing in perfect harmony, all the instruments create a story and share the inner feelings of the musicians.
I once heard, “Music is the literature of the heart, it commences where speech ends.” Music is unlike any other subject, because it depends on every instrument and person to do their part. In English, Math, or any other academic subject it doesn’t affect me if the person sitting beside me is not proficient. In music, if one person does not practice and attempt to do their best, then everyone is affected.
The concert was relaxing and enjoyable. Each member contributed their part with excellence. Is your Sunday School reaching its potential, because everyone knows their part and performs with excellence? (Paul speaks about this I Corinthians 12, check it out).
