The “Ode to Joy!”

   One of the great pleasures of living here in the Detroit area is the opportunity to attend concerts put on by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Our daughter, Shanda, has been a violist with the orchestra for about sixteen years. Because of her involvement, the DSO has also become a great source of enrichment and inspiration in our lives.

   There recently was a free event for all people who have donated to the orchestra, a rehearsal for the second half of a concert that would be held later in the week. The rehearsal was of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, complete with four vocalists and a full choir.

   Shanda drove Al and me to the beautifully restored Orchestra Hall, about thirty minutes from her house. Because seats weren’t reserved, we were able to sit in the lower section near the stage with a good view of Shanda and the entire orchestra. The choir was sitting behind the orchestra with chairs in front for the four vocalists. It seemed strange to see those on stage wearing street clothes instead of the black formal attire worn during their actual performance.

   There were other noticeable differences, beginning with a humorous welcome to the audience given by a member of the percussion section. Director Leonard Slatkin had selected several portions of the music he wanted to review. When the members of the orchestra began stopping him in various places to ask questions, I wondered how he would react. Would he get upset at being interrupted?

   This never happens during the actual performance and it surprised me. But no, he didn’t get upset at all. He stopped to clarify things, taking as much time as needed to explain how the music was to be played or interpreted. The musicians also talked in their own sections, making sure they were clear and together on the music.

   During the final portion of the rehearsal, Slatkin stopped the choir several times to give specific directions involving volume, timing and enunciation of words. At the end of the practice, he told them to go home, read through the original poem and think about its meaning. He spoke to the choir about the ‘mess’ our world is in and shared how the choir and the orchestra could lift their audience above the mess, even if only for a short time. Through their voices and instruments they could give the listeners a gift!

   Al and I watched the live webcast of the performance a few nights later. His words must have really hit home. It was a powerful, emotional experience—a great gift.

   We Christians also have been given a wonderful and precious gift to share with others, the gift of God’s love. May we be always ready and willing to be funnels of His love to a hurting world. 

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-17 NIV