Glimpses of Joy!

Today I experienced some glimpses of what "joy" looks like. I attended two Christmas Concerts at our school. One of them was for the Upper School students--grades 6-12. The second was for the Lower School students--grades K-5. As you can imagine, there were singing groups and soloists of all ages. There were five year olds with jingle bells and some older more accomlished musicians playing in our newly created instrumental groups which include strings. Some of the faculty participated as well. The music teachers shared their flute and piano talents and wonderful role modeling was evident in the cello solo played beautifully by the high school chemistry teacher. The lesson, of course, is that music touches a deep core within all of us--no matter what our other talents and interests.
I think that there must be something that is an innate part of the human design that causes us to love music. Perhaps it has something to do with the inadequacy of words to capture our feelings. Music can convey love, anger,desire and every imaginable emotion. Today it conveyed the happiness of children--ten days away from Christmas! It also showed that sharing our gifts is appreciated despite our age. In our school, which encompasses all levels of childhood, it is affirming to see the younger children look up to the teenagers for good reasons. It is touching to see the teens root for the little ones and encourage the most timid of five year old efforts. It is reassuring to see middle schoolers, generally so focused on themselves, emulate the older students and try to assist the little ones.
From a broader educational perspective, I was so gladdened to see how many of our youngsters took part in the program. We have just this year resurrected our insturmental music program and I was so happy to hear the sound of progress as they played. In an era which is so focused on technology, it is increasingly important to emphaisze the aesthetic. Children need to recognize that which is beautiful just as much as they need to learn how to do research on the web. Music touches the heart and I am so pleased that, despite the challenges of our economy, we have been able to provide an expanded Fine Arts Program for our students.
This growth is, in no small part, championed by our faculty. Dr. Jeff Bunn, our Fine Arts Chair who has dual degrees in music and business, is equally comfortable playing the piano as he is playing the Stock Market! Margaret Mackie and Lauren Elfring bring out the best in our visual artists and the addition of Liz Young, the instrumental teacher, creates a cadre of professionals who are dedicated to children and their craft. I could not be more pleased with their ability to light the creative fires that are sometimes hidden within our children!
So, as I listened to the singng and playing today, I also watched. "Joy" looks like a seven year old playing the violin, a nervous fouteen year old performing a solo without a missed note, and a junior trumpet player who carried a fledling ensemble group through its first public perfromance. Joy, looked to me--as it often does--like Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School!