[This is not intended as an eloquent, well-thought-out blog since I tend to "plan" my blog posts - just something that is on my mind at the moment.]
This phrase from our national anthem came to my mind whilst viewing a collection of pictures of the devastation in the South from recent storms and tornadoes.
The pictures were unbelievable. Homes were completely destroyed. For some the only sign that a house existed was a driveway up to a concrete slab. One picture struck me: while a child was innocently playing in the dirt out in front of a destroyed house adults were walking amongst the debris probably overwhelmed by the devastation.
So why did this phrase from the national anthem of the United States come to my mind? It is because even though destruction was everywhere, in most of the pictures I caught a glimpse, a flutter, a wave of the stars and stripes. There were no fancy flagpoles. Any that had existed were most likely blown away. These flags were attached to fence posts, fallen tree trunks, remains of houses, and etc. Despite the horrors, the flag yet waves and represents the strength, resolve, and courage of the American people. Not just those affected by the storms, but of the entire nation. For when one hurts, we all hurt. Rivalries and competiveness are cast aside as we take care of our own.
Anyway, let's be motivated by this waving flag and do what we can to help our own even if it is just a few words of prayer. Since I try to keep a musical theme with this blog I will but only mention that in addition to the patriotism shown by the flag the turning to God is also a prevailing theme.
Both seem appropriate in times like this.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Songcatcher
While I work on my writings for my dissertation I watched/listened to the movie Songcatcher (2000). How appropriate it is for me to have watched this movie! The movie is about a woman with a doctorate in music who traveled to visit with her sister, a school teacher in the mountains. The doctor, a city woman, was unimpressed by the laborious trip to arrive at her sister's humble home. Not really seeing the worth of her visit she was feeling a bit sorry for herself when a young girl was called upon to sing one of her songs for the doctor. Her interest was peaked and thus the movie really takes action - in a musical sense. The doctor records on cylinders and in notation the songs of the young girl and another mountain woman. She is immersed in the lives of these hillbillies and finds a wealth of musical treasure. I won't ruin the movie for you, dear reader, should you choose to watch it, but let it be said there are love interests and catastrophe.
I was struck by the young girl who said that the songs she knew were "give to her" by her granny. This oral tradition of passing on songs from one generation to the next is, I fear, a dying tradition. Too often children today learn songs from a recording rather than by sitting on the lap or at the feet of their parents and grandparents. I am thankful that I learned the old fashioned way. I recall the songs my grandparents sang to me. I was an avid listener! When I think back to my childhood I can remember my Daddy going about the house singing and whistling; Momma was always singing the songs that I now as an adult associate with household chores and fun songs for entertainment. My parents continue to make music a part of their lives.
The recording of songs in the movie was done through the use of cylinders and music notation after several hearings. Songs which were recorded on the cylinders would later be transcribed into notation. As I watched the doctor in the movie notating songs I was reminded of the importance of ear training - the ability to hear a tune aurally and then be able to write it accurately on staff paper. This is a learned skill, one that takes a boatload of patience and years to accomplish. I often smile as I listen to an interesting song for if I really think about the tune I find myself figuring out the solfege and picturing it on the musical staff.
This movie has a connection with my dissertation. I am writing about Zoltan Kodaly and his work with music education. Part of his work was based upon his own folk song collecting in the countryside of Hungary in the early 1900s. I have read about how he had to develop a relationship with people before they would share their songs with him, how he used the cylinders to collect his songs, and about the importance of scientific collection and indexing. I could see his persistence and dedication in the work of the movie's songcatcher. The great thing is I know what he did with the bulk of his work and I have seen how it has influenced the musical lives of millions of people, both in Hungary and around the world.
A regret that I have is that I will never meet this man, Kodaly. However, I have been blessed over the past 10 years to meet and spend time with people who *did* work with him. If I cannot learn from the Master I am blessed to learn from those who did.
I was struck by the young girl who said that the songs she knew were "give to her" by her granny. This oral tradition of passing on songs from one generation to the next is, I fear, a dying tradition. Too often children today learn songs from a recording rather than by sitting on the lap or at the feet of their parents and grandparents. I am thankful that I learned the old fashioned way. I recall the songs my grandparents sang to me. I was an avid listener! When I think back to my childhood I can remember my Daddy going about the house singing and whistling; Momma was always singing the songs that I now as an adult associate with household chores and fun songs for entertainment. My parents continue to make music a part of their lives.
The recording of songs in the movie was done through the use of cylinders and music notation after several hearings. Songs which were recorded on the cylinders would later be transcribed into notation. As I watched the doctor in the movie notating songs I was reminded of the importance of ear training - the ability to hear a tune aurally and then be able to write it accurately on staff paper. This is a learned skill, one that takes a boatload of patience and years to accomplish. I often smile as I listen to an interesting song for if I really think about the tune I find myself figuring out the solfege and picturing it on the musical staff.
This movie has a connection with my dissertation. I am writing about Zoltan Kodaly and his work with music education. Part of his work was based upon his own folk song collecting in the countryside of Hungary in the early 1900s. I have read about how he had to develop a relationship with people before they would share their songs with him, how he used the cylinders to collect his songs, and about the importance of scientific collection and indexing. I could see his persistence and dedication in the work of the movie's songcatcher. The great thing is I know what he did with the bulk of his work and I have seen how it has influenced the musical lives of millions of people, both in Hungary and around the world.
A regret that I have is that I will never meet this man, Kodaly. However, I have been blessed over the past 10 years to meet and spend time with people who *did* work with him. If I cannot learn from the Master I am blessed to learn from those who did.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Girl Who Walks the Street
I see her nearly every day as I drive around my neighborhood. Recently she has responded to my waves as I drive by. It is my goal to one day see her smile.
You see, as each time I see her she walks alone, this young girl of 13 or 14. I see in her face the longing for a friend to walk with her, to talk with her. Her head is usually down, long hair hanging so that it nearly covers her face, watching her feet plod along glancing up only when the sound of an approaching car catches her attention.
I worried at first about her. About her seeming loneliness. Then I saw it. The tell-tale signs of white earbuds snaking up to her ears. Evidence of her hidden iPod.
Now, knowing she is more than likely listening to music, I am less concerned about her loneliness for she has her music. Yes, she walks the streets - not in the manner you, gracious reader, might have thought - but she walks and finds solace, comfort, and/or friendship in her music.
Now, as I drive by, I watch her gait and feel the beat that she steps out to the music though I am unable to hear it. This is enough for me to adjust whatever tune is in my head at the moment to the beat of her gait. For that moment in time we are in sync.
Me and the girl who walks the street.
You see, as each time I see her she walks alone, this young girl of 13 or 14. I see in her face the longing for a friend to walk with her, to talk with her. Her head is usually down, long hair hanging so that it nearly covers her face, watching her feet plod along glancing up only when the sound of an approaching car catches her attention.
I worried at first about her. About her seeming loneliness. Then I saw it. The tell-tale signs of white earbuds snaking up to her ears. Evidence of her hidden iPod.
Now, knowing she is more than likely listening to music, I am less concerned about her loneliness for she has her music. Yes, she walks the streets - not in the manner you, gracious reader, might have thought - but she walks and finds solace, comfort, and/or friendship in her music.
Now, as I drive by, I watch her gait and feel the beat that she steps out to the music though I am unable to hear it. This is enough for me to adjust whatever tune is in my head at the moment to the beat of her gait. For that moment in time we are in sync.
Me and the girl who walks the street.
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