Pulling the Ropes

A more poetic version of my Conference summary culminating in that jam session (as posted on Facebook):

 

My 41st AOSA Orff Conference has come and gone, with so many moments of memorable magnificence. Getting to hang out with friends, colleagues and students young and old, far and near and getting to meet enthusiastic newcomers. Getting to be on stage again with forever colleagues James and Sofia and the San Francisco School students in their roof-raising concert and the privilege of playing two pieces with the 8th graders who were 4th graders when I “retired”. Enjoying some seven workshops that made it clear that the baton passed on to the next generations is in good hands. Getting to teach my own “Humanitarian Musician” workshops. 

Glorious as it all was, the highlight was a spontaneous jam session in the hotel lobby with these two old-time colleagues and soulful singers, Rene Boyer-White and IJ Routen. A privilege beyond what I deserve to accompany them on piano and then watch as the surrounding crowd grew from a few people to probably 80 or so and watch it change to Rene working her magic with the crowd, starting with Down By the Riverside (timely song!) and seamlessly moving from one song to the next. The room was charged with Soul and Spirit and you could feel the Ancestors gathered around to peek in and nod their heads with approval. And because we all are music teachers, you could also feel how the Descendants were present as well. 

The world may be going to hell in a handbasket, but it’s important to remember that there are so many, like these teachers gathered at the Conference, who are pulling the ropes to reverse directions and lift us up to the heaven we all deserve.