A Sprinkle in Time

"Was that Twinkle Twinkle," my mom asked. "Mm-hm," I giggled. I haven't thought about this until just now, but I think that might be my trademark - the laugh. The giggle. I've always been an easy laugh, and it carries on decades later. I've noticed this, because I find myself writing "Hahahahaha..." a lot in my messages of late. Back to the Ivers and Pond, the upright maple piano my grandfather had purchased for my dad a few years prior. "Play Mary Had a Little Lamb," my mom cajoled with a winsome smile. I proceeded to work out the familiar nursery rhyme on the faux ivory keys. It was that moment, that sprinkle in time that would chart the course of my life for years to come.

In the fourth grade, I was chosen to play the Cheshire Cat in "Alice in Wonderland," my inauguration into the world of musical theater. The following year, I would portray the parsimonious Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol." Over the years, I would continue to play Frederick in "The Sound of Music," Jud Fry in "Oklahoma," the Lion in "The Wizard of Oz," to name a few. All the while, I continued with piano lessons, and added the clarinet and saxophone to my repertoire of expression mediums. This ultimately led me to pursue a degree in music education. I have since instructed others in piano, clarinet, saxophone, and coached singers and orchestra in musical theater productions.

What is it about music that moves us? What makes those stand-out performances special? When I'm playing a piece of music (and I didn't know this until I filmed myself playing piano recently), my body dances. My whole body dances. Or maybe it wasn't the first time I saw myself, but it was the first time that I saw myself. It was the first time I truly recognized the connection I have with the piano, and with the divine realm, and with the universe. It was this fortuitous encounter of two realms uniting, and I was the auspicious conduit for the divine conversation. It was in that moment, and this happened only a day or two ago, that I realized my passion - forty years after my first interaction with the piano.

I suppose it would have been obvious, even to the casual onlooker, and yet I was oblivious. Perhaps because it was always so natural to me - it was a part of me. My native tongue. I always seemed to really connect when playing Beethoven, or Chopin, or Rachmaninoff, as if I was channeling these composers, or some other-worldly energy. I was able to translate the message, the meaning, the expression; it was never just the notes on the page, there was always something more. Or, perhaps because I didn't see what I did as particularly special, though others observed this throughout my life. Or, maybe it's because I felt like this is what good musicians do, and I am aware of some very gifted musicians. Either way, it's a strange place to be, as a lifelong musician, only to discover forthwith that music is my passion.

Now, the question: How can I utilize my ability to create on-the-spot arrangements, and reach people - communicate with people in this divine language? Truth be told, I am writing this just three hours before the Vocal deadline, and I am formulating my thoughts in real time. I would like to utilize a platform whereby I could create arrangements, or original songs, and offer them to my members. Let's say someone is having a bad day, and you want to send them a musical message to uplift their spirits. I would personalize that message for my members, and they would be able to send the personalized message to their friend, beloved, family member. This would also work for special occasions, like birthdays, holidays, and weddings. In the interest of transparency, this isn't the first time the idea has entered my mind, but it is the first time I am honoring the idea with its deserved reverence. And for this, I owe the Vocal Team an insurmountable debt of gratitude for offering up this challenge.

If you're reading this, my sincere wish is that you learn to attune yourself to the messages between your body, mind and the universe. If you have an idea, pay it it's proper due. Don't be like me and wait forty years to discover your true passion - not that it's ever too late, and maybe the timing is perfect. But, be-aware, if you don't follow your passion, it may not be long before chaos ensues. More on that another time.