The Flute Flock of Gettysburg is a community of flute players of all levels -- professionals, educators, homemakers, and interested others. They come together to learn music to perform for concerts, events, and Church services whenever and wherever they are asked. My daughter Kathryn plays with this group and has even coerced me to write a couple of arrangements for them. I happened to be visiting Kathryn's family for a few days last week and got to tag along to rehearsal. How surprising it was for me to have some of the women recognize me and welcome me with open arms.
The first song they practiced was John Rutter's "For the Beauty of the Earth." They are preparing their flute choir part to accompany a local choir ensemble to sing on their concert. It was a beautiful arrangement, but a few of the ladies were having trouble envisioning how their flute accompaniment would fit with the choir's part.
I really couldn't help it. I jumped in and began singing. Of course, I have sung this piece with the Tabernacle Choir many, many times. (I confess that I messed up the words on the men's verses a bit. After all, my soprano part was just "ahs" through their verses.) Anyway, the conductor wasn't mad and went to her stack of music and pulled out a choral copy with the words and handed it to me. Apparently she thought that having the melody of the choir part was indeed helpful.
That was so fun! I really couldn't keep myself from singing. It brought me so much joy.
Doing what brings such joy was something I hadn't felt in quite a while. (I've had quite a stressful month.) Part of it was feeling welcome and respected. Another part was feeling useful towards making the rehearsal go better. I really do love the process of music-making and rehearsals are my favorite.
Musicians understand the work and commitment it takes to create pleasing performances. Many people in the audience don't understand what it takes to bring music to a high level. They may think that some musicians are so talented that they hardly have to work to be able to pull off a performance.
That is so NOT TRUE! You ask professional musicians who play at an elite level and they will always tell you that they couldn't do it without PRACTICE, and a lot of it!
I was so happy to join in the beautiful music-making and find such joy in rehearsing!
Here's a fun piece you might enjoy for Piano and 4 flutes, "Beautiful Savior"
The first song they practiced was John Rutter's "For the Beauty of the Earth." They are preparing their flute choir part to accompany a local choir ensemble to sing on their concert. It was a beautiful arrangement, but a few of the ladies were having trouble envisioning how their flute accompaniment would fit with the choir's part.
I really couldn't help it. I jumped in and began singing. Of course, I have sung this piece with the Tabernacle Choir many, many times. (I confess that I messed up the words on the men's verses a bit. After all, my soprano part was just "ahs" through their verses.) Anyway, the conductor wasn't mad and went to her stack of music and pulled out a choral copy with the words and handed it to me. Apparently she thought that having the melody of the choir part was indeed helpful.
That was so fun! I really couldn't keep myself from singing. It brought me so much joy.
Doing what brings such joy was something I hadn't felt in quite a while. (I've had quite a stressful month.) Part of it was feeling welcome and respected. Another part was feeling useful towards making the rehearsal go better. I really do love the process of music-making and rehearsals are my favorite.
Musicians understand the work and commitment it takes to create pleasing performances. Many people in the audience don't understand what it takes to bring music to a high level. They may think that some musicians are so talented that they hardly have to work to be able to pull off a performance.
That is so NOT TRUE! You ask professional musicians who play at an elite level and they will always tell you that they couldn't do it without PRACTICE, and a lot of it!
I was so happy to join in the beautiful music-making and find such joy in rehearsing!
Here's a fun piece you might enjoy for Piano and 4 flutes, "Beautiful Savior"
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