The snowfall has all but melted away
with just a tiny bit of a patch here or there. It was a lovely day last week
with the unexpected snowfall appearing on the day “Carol” made its debut at the
Furth Center. I must say it felt a little like years past with the movie and
the snowfall. I never saw so many folks at the Furth Center for any event. It
was great fun seeing friends and neighbors and knowing so many folks in the
movie! Hats off to James Tew, the writer and one of the producers. It was well
done and certainly got us all in the spirit of Christmas. I loved the dance
scene up at Selman’s Timber Frame. Several of my students were in that scene
and they were thrilled! Thanks to everyone for the perseverance in making this
film.
Music fills our senses and our days as
we go about this second week of December. On Sunday the Trine choir and chamber
orchestra filled the Furth Center with a free concert for the community. Again,
this one was well-attended. So many friends and family members came to hear the
students perform. These students do this because of their love of music.
Several of them double up into my theatre as well. I never tire of watching
them or listening to them. The love of the arts is what keeps them going with
their academics. I am so glad we offer a place for these students to thrive.
Again, next weekend, the Furth will be
home to “The Messiah” under the direction of Joe Peters. My seats are always in
the balcony as I have the perfect view of the stage! I always like the
backstories, so I have a few to share with you. George Frideric Handel wrote
the musical score for “The Messiah” in three to four weeks in 1741. The first
performance was in London on April 13, 1742. The story goes that King George 11
was in attendance and stood for the Hallelujah Chorus. Folks still debate the
reason for that. Perhaps he was so moved by the piece that he felt inspired to
stand, or was he just tired of sitting? Whatever the case may be, audiences
have stood for this ever since. It is always one of my favorite parts when we
all stand together. Looking back at Handel’s childhood, his father who was a
prominent surgeon in North Germany, wanted his son to study law. However, when
the Duke of Weissenfels heard young Handel play the organ, he knew he was a
musical genius. Handel was eleven at the time. In pursuing more stories, I
found he was very fond of food and often, at his dinner parties, he showered
his guests with meager dinner plates of food while he ate copiously in the
kitchen. On the other hand, he was extremely generous with his money. With the
money from the first performance of “The Messiah,” he donated to a debtor’s
prison and hospital in Dublin. He often gave money to orphans, retired
musicians and the ill. Enjoy the beauty
of this beautiful work now performed all over the world, and in our own backyard
with all the folks we know. Thank you in advance for all your work.
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic is back at
the Furth this Saturday night. I am so excited to hear them play in our town
once again. There are tickets still available for purchase!
As if all of that is enough (and
certainly it is!), my friend, Jacob McNeal, is hosting a John Lennon evening on
Wednesday at Cahoots Coffee Café. This event will run from 4-6. Everyone is
welcome. Please bring a poem to share or a piece of music to play. Or, just
come on out to enjoy the music and have some great coffee!
I love the Christmas season. I love
holding on to these musical traditions and others. It is during this time that
I really miss my dad. He and I played duets on the piano and loved singing the
old German Christmas carols in their native language. I love sharing my love of
tradition with my own kids as they begin to pass on to their children. I light
my tree with candles, hide the German pickle in the tree for the kids to find,
bake my grandma’s sugar cookies and sing all the songs.
Let music fill your soul this week.
See you around town.
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