Music for Tots: April 2019

Saturday night I went to the MCO concert (Millennial Choir and Orchestra) at the Mesa Arts Center with a friend.

This choir is composed of hundreds of singers from age 4-adults and is led by two brothers who came from California where they initially started a choir like this one. Now 11 years later they have choirs/orchestra in California, Arizona, Texas, Utah and Idaho.

The brothers, Brandon and Brett Stewart are exceptional musicians with conducting, piano performing, choral and arranging talents that are inspirational. Their focus is on religious and patriotic music. They arrange music that starts with one group singing, and then they add the other choral groups to the mix to build to a gigantic choral and orchestral masterpiece. It truly is amazing, sometimes overwhelming and very inspirational.

As I sat listening to one magnificent song after another and pondering on the huge undertaking it was to bring all these singers and instrument players together—the composing of the music, the rehearsals, the mechanics of organizing the singers along the balconies, when to walk in, where to go when they’re not singing, getting them quickly on stage, organizing a trip to New York during the summer with all singers in the 5 states performing at Carnegie Hall, etc, etc, I began to feel very small and unimportant. I began to feel like I am not worth anything as far as music is concerned. All my little efforts at teaching piano, ukulele and music classes with the moms/tots were so unprofessional and puny and inconsequential, that it was almost laughable to think of myself as a fellow musician. Sure I can play the piano, but never on the level one of the brothers who went to Julliard can. Sure I have learned to play the ukulele, banjo, dulcimer and mandolin, but only on a very amateurish, beginner level. Sure I have organized small groups to perform, but only for retired people who don’t care or understand how unprofessional we sound.

I started thinking that I was worthless. These brothers have touched thousands of lives with their musical talents. They have influenced a circle of thousands in several states—thousands of people who both perform as well as listen in the audience. My circle of influence is tiny.

But as I listened to the last song, Nearer, My God to Thee, and heard the beautiful, inspirational music, I felt God’s love for me as He gave me these thoughts:

"You are not worthless. I need you to bring music to others who would never come in contact with the music you’re listening to or be influenced by it. Who would bring music and happiness to Grandpa Tom when you bring the children to his care home for music classes? I love him just as much as everyone else sitting in this concert hall. And Grandpa Mike, whose smile and excitement to see the children make his whole body jump with joy, even though he can’t say a word to express his delight. I need you to bring music, joy and happiness to him as well as Grandpa Reuben and Grandpa Gene, for I love them too and in their later years, they deserve to be happy and to find joy and feel love from others.
And remember how thrilled Danielle was to see her husband and children sing and play the ukulele? She said she hoped they would continue to play together. What about Chloe’s mother who said Chloe doesn’t like to be in front of people, yet there she was playing her ukulele and smiling and enjoying herself. I have billions of children living on earth. I need you to help me. Even though you think your circle of influence is small, I need you to touch their lives and care for them. I have placed you where you are and count on you to share my love with others. You are important to me and I value your contribution. I love you.”

I sat weeping, feeling God's love for me. So now I don’t feel worthless. I feel like I am needed and though my musical abilities are small and may not be professional on a grand scale, I feel I am talented and gifted with musical ideas and teaching abilities that I need to continue to share. I’m excited to share music with those around me! What a privilege and blessing!!!!!!

What about you? You, too, have a circle of influence. Look around you at your husband, your children, your grandchildren, your neighbors, your friends. Be the person they need in their lives right now. Can you cook and take them something? Can you listen to them? Can you just love them?

You can, and so can I! Let's go do a small and amazing thing!

Thank you for reading,

Cathy

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