The power of music and dedication

I went to my son’s Christmas Orchestra presentation last night. It was a great evening. I sat amongst a dutiful group of parents, watching their children play a violin, viola, cello, trombone etc. The last song they played was Johaan Pachelbel’s Canon in D. I loved the melody of the violin, viola, cello, piano etc. I closed my eyes as the notes sank in and then opened them to see what I might have missed. My heart was moved, and my body would have if I had not restrained myself. The sounds melded together, not a note was out of bounds. It was soothing. It brought tears to my eyes as I watched the dedicated teacher, Mr Halczyn, conduct these young, vibrant and limitless minds in unison. I thanked God for the opportunity to be in that room, at that moment, that time, to see what was still possible to be achieved in our lifetime – togetherness.

I wondered about the power of music and what this teacher had done in that unseeming auditorium. I can see how a penniless child from a disenfranchised background, if he or she could have a heart for music – could inadvertently be a door for release for others – just by the power of music. Music is so powerful – it goes to the heart and pulls those strings that will become free and unfettered – despite every physical limitation. Mr. Halcyzn used the power of music and his talent to bring about something of great repercussion.

Those young people might not know what they were partaking of: how the walls were being brought down amongst them. They did not know how the power of music and this man’s dedication had brought down the negative power of the divergent and opposing cultural experiences that was between them; they did not know how music and this experience brought down the power of class and privilege at that moment. As they played it was not about an individual, it was about the collective vision and goal to play such an amazing piece. They lost the ‘I’. Even the weakest player was helped by the more skillful ones. Those kids might not have understood the power of their togetherness last night. But that power was well before us, being played; and it sounded wonderful. It would have healed a disheartened heart if there was one in the room. The sound was like a fountain giving of its water to the parched ear. And like a balm to a fainted heart. Wow!

And so Mr. Halczyn, thank you. Thank you for teaching my son, and others’ sons and daughters. Thank you for managing to accomplish what is so hard for many of us to do – togetherness! Above all thank God for minds like Johaan Pachelbel, who left such a legacy that could bring many together despite the differences. I pray that our lives will be about building such impacting legacies for those coming after us.

What legacy are you leaving your children?

Merry Christmas.

Linda Faith

Linda faith is the Editor in Chief of Jewels Magazine. She co-pastors along with her husband Revival Worship Church, Tampa. She is a prolific writer and powerful speaker, inspiring many women to be all God has called them to be. She is the founder of Joy Women’s conference which reaches out to empower, inspire and motivate women in their faith walk. Linda was a software developer before she went into ministry.