WHAT GOOD IS A SONG?

I just placed my newly downloaded files from Monday night's rehearsal into their own special folder. The rehearsal was as productive as the first one held 2 weeks ago. I feel so fortunate...

I am madly in love with harmony. Solo's have their place, but hearing one's voice blending with the voices of others is such a lovely gift. I listened to the tape I made (yes, tape) and smiled. I can really appreciate listening to rehearsal now that Raymond forwarded mp3's of his digital recording of it via fileshare. Now I can listen with ease on my computer's media player.
During the great February snow-in, when early spring cleaning seemed like a good idea, I found my Radio Shack micro-cassette recorder and micro-cassettes. Monday evening, I put a pack of AA batteries in my purse, and set off to rehearsal prepared to push play/record/pause/rewind all night. I hadn't used the recorder in a while, and it amazed me how I had to figure it out again. When I got home, I pressed play and heard what sounded like "Alvin and The Chipmunks Sing Gospel". The tape speed was set to "freight train", and I was afraid that I'd wasted my right thumb's time all night. I adjusted the speed when I finally figured out which switch would allow me to hear the actual sounds I heard us sing. (I wonder how long it will be until the only place one can see a micro-cassette recorder is on display at the Smithsonian?) I thought about the time when the micro-cassette recorder was cutting edge, and laughed. I won't toss it, though. It still works, and it served its purpose. I am grateful,however, for advances in technology-- even though I always seem to hop on board with the newest gadget with a lot less enthusiasm and a lot later than most.

I'm enjoying listening to the new songs as we learn and sing them for the first time. It's like a baby being born, and as it grows week after week, it inevitably blossoms, gets stronger, and makes you marvel at the whole conception process.
Even though he's a bit of an Inspector Gadget and has access to state-of-the-art music technology, the fragile infant "Promises" is characterized by Richard on piano alone, singing and teaching parts to each section the same way he delivered "Adoration", "Healing", "Persuaded" "Rejoice", and "Journey". The harmonies are beautiful, and hearing him play unaccompanied is always a treat. It's great watching him think and create. In a few months, we'll hear what the musicians in the family have to offer on their instruments, and all of the other wonderful sounds that make Richard's lyrics, melodies and our voices shine even more.

I've been a participant in lots of rehearsals, and they haven't all been pleasant experiences. If it weren't for home training, sometimes I've just wanted to get my things and excuse myself. I've wondered sometimes if I was at a rehearsal or a get together. It's painful being in rehearsals when you know that little will be accomplished, or that the leader's heart and mind are far away from the business at hand. It's even more painful when the leader's skill, choices in music, and maturity leave a lot to be desired. A rehearsal where the leader is anointed, competent, prepared, and passionate tends to flow so smoothly, and transforms into a veritable feast for the ears and gift for the heart and mind. You want to be attentive. You want to learn. You want to get it right. You don't notice the time passing. You want to retain what you've learned because it's meaningful, beautiful and inspiring. Leadership is such a key element. It is an ineffective teacher who cannot communicate enthusiasm, a sincere interest, or love for the subject to be taught. An effective teacher makes learning meaningful. Even little kids can spot busy work, and know when their time is being wasted. There was no waste on Monday night.

It's so wonderful to learn new songs-- and love them as one learns. After rehearsal, Quincy Jones' "What Good Is a Song" came to mind. No, every song is not meant to inspire, nor does every song have a positive message to bring. Some songs are positively depressing, ignorant, poorly conceived, have no redeeming value, and are only fit to be filed in the "noisy noise" category. I know. I know. Art is subjective, and one person's serenade is another person's clanging cymbal, but a song with substance seems to be my favorite kind these days. If a song fails to move me in a positive way, it's darn near impossible for me to communicate its sentiments to anyone else. One may as well sing the telephone book. Fortunately, I'm already in love with, and blessed by the new songs I've been taught.

"Promises", Richard's highly anticipated project with my pals called "Vision" promises to be as encouraging and inspiring as every other gem that the Lord has whispered into his ear, and sent him to his wonderful piano to play and sing. I admit a little bias--okay---a lot. I'm just grateful to be a part of it.

"What good is a song if it can't inspire; if it has no message to bring? If a song cannot take you higher...then it's not good enough to sing." -Quincy Jones