Quote of the Day: There is a spirit in all music, the spirit has the ability to conjure up thoughts even pictures of something that happened or you wished would happen or you anticipate happening. Music has the ability to create ideas in you and me. It has the ability to encourage us to be creative. – Maya Angelou
That quote from Maya Angelou, one of my favorite authors/performers, sings to my heart. When I am anywhere near good music, my creative spirit soars. Last year, I read about a local high school girl who was planning on pursuing a career in music. She said, “I love being part of the song.” I understood exactly what she meant. I love playing the piano, singing, and listening to music. Somehow, even as an audience member, I feel like I’m part of the song. I am so excited to hear that our local high school choir will be joining the amazing From Age to Age professional choir for an evening of Christmas music.
Confession: I have never heard Handel’s Messiah performed live. I’ll get the chance to hear parts of that masterpiece performed as well as many holiday favorites on Dec. 18, at 7:30 pm. at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd. My heart is already singing.
To learn more about From Age to Age, click here. I have written about this group several times. I am inspired by their director, Andrew Miller, for his creativity, his mission, and his ability to connect. He is serious about his art and giving professionals a place to sing. He is adventurous in his outreach and bringing an amazing musical experience to people all over the state, and he gives part of their free-will offering to a couple of global humanitarian causes. Whenever I attend one of his concerts, I am filled with creative spirit, sigh that it’s over, and leave with new energy to…
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: Write about someone or something that fills you with creative energy and encourages you to make it happen!
Great videos, thanks! Your post sings, not just the music, but your spirit. There’s something so special about Christmas music. The heart sings! I’ve never heard Handel’s Messiah live, though, and have often thought it must be a really, really moving concert.
Enjoy the concert! I have performed parts 1 & 2 of the Messiah with an 80+ member church choir about five years ago as an Easter concert. It’s a demanding piece to sing.
I love all types of Christmas music, from Handel’s Messiah to Sinatra’s Jingle Bells. It’s all so uplifting. We’re always playing Christmas music here, while cooking, while decorating, as background music. It’s the perfect accompaniment. Enjoy that concert 🙂
Pandora plays my favorites ALL day. I LOVE to write to music.
Everything from country to rap to sacred.
I LOVE Handel’s Messiah. So glad you were blessed, Mary.
Mary, even that photo of the group looking up is super cool. You’ve spoken so highly of this group – I know I would love hearing them as well. Music has always been a wonderful part of my life, as you know, and yet another way we are able to relate and express ourselves to one another. That said, we haven’t had the chance to go to a lot of musical events together. We’ll have to work on that. 🙂
Mary,
Thank you for your inspiring words! I am a music teacher in a small school in southern MN, but I also sing with From Age to Age. I have been with the group for just over a year, but have had some of the most wonderful music making experiences since joining them. The desire and need to perform is one that I carry with me, and try to pass along to my students as well. I love it when they are so taken by the music or it’s text that they give themselves entirly to the moment. When that happens, I know that I have connected with them in some way that is unique and creates a lasting bond. That is what I feel when I sing with this amazing group. It refuels me when I’m emotionally empty, reminds me why I chose to become a music educator, and inspires me to always continue with many of the more difficult aspects of my life (which are too many to list in this one blog). Thank you again for your kind and inspiring words. I look forward to meeting you next weekend after our Brainerd performance.
Jodi L. Bennett
Alto/FATA Music Librarian
St. Clair Choral Director/Classroom Music Instructor
P.S. – My husband took the photo of us last March at The School Sisters of Notre Dame, Good Counsel Chapel in Mankato.
Jodi Bennett
Jodi, thank you for your wonderful comments. Thank you for being a music teacher and giving the gift of music making to your kids. Thank you for lending your voice to FATA. And, tell your husband he’s a great photographer. See you soon!
Mary
Mary,
You KNOW I love this post! I’m singing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus as I type…I have sung “The Messiah” many times!
After being soaked in music seven hours a day, five days a week for the past 18 years, I believe I think in song. Seriously. All of life to me is either verse or refrain.
To me, there’s nothing like children singing. As I tell them often, they have a musical message to deliver that only they can offer. No one else can sing like them–not the most accomplished musician in the world.
God bless you in the special season. Isn’t Christmas music the best?