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June 2003 --
Let Music Live!
I was well into my career before I began
using concert “themes” on any kind of regular basis. It wasn’t something my
high school or college choral directors did, so I had no model to follow.
What I’ve discovered is that choosing a general theme helps in the search
for new music. And while it perhaps would be easier to recycle the 389 songs
we’ve rehearsed and sung since 1992, an influx of new music keeps the Youth
Choir experience exciting for the audience, our loyal alumni, our returning
singers and staff — and for me!
This year’s celebration of Ohio’s bicentenary and the State Fair’s 150th
birthday made the choice of a theme more difficult. When I added a subtitle,
some of my random thoughts over several years became easier to articulate.
LET MUSIC LIVE!
Ohio’s incredible singing machine -
The All-Ohio Youth Choir
While America continues to have a love affair with music, the focus has
changed over my lifetime from the love of music making to another of
our spectator sports. Pretty much gone are the family times of
singing around the piano, especially on holidays, and singing together in
the car. Almost forgotten are the “community sings” that used to happen
across America, as well as the repertoire of songs that were a common
denominator between generations.
There are a few exceptions, of course. They still have weekly community
sings at the Oak Bluffs Tabernacle on Martha’s Vineyard during the summer,
and most people can still get through one stanza of “Joy to the World,”
“Silent Night” and “Happy Birthday,” even here in Ohio.
Following the events of September 11, people instinctively used music to
express grief and hope. After years of active singing, many had to jumpstart
their voices to participate in community gatherings where singing played a
major role.
In 1999, the Youth Choir sang Joseph Martin’s powerful song, “The Awakening”
(from which the words “Let music live!” have been taken). Later, the text
took on added importance when I learned that the Taliban had outlawed music
in Afghanistan for five years, except for unaccompanied religious and
patriotic chant. I still remember seeing the looks of joy on the faces of
the Afghan people when music returned! If you saw those TV images, I’m sure
that you were also struck with the reminder of what a precious gift music
really is.
In many ways, the All-Ohio Youth Choir has helped music live/over the past
forty years, and enriched the lives of thousands of its members, and
millions who have received our gift of song. May each of us join the
celebrations this summer, and resolve to do whatever we can to keep the
Youth Choir magic alive.
Let music live!
~ CRS
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