14/365 - Connections

The program now on my bedside table, I nestle in to write... As I contemplate the words that I already know will be woefully inadequate compared to tonight's performances, I can still hear the chorus of jazz saxophones zooming all over Odean Pope's Prince La Sha. Now - after you YouTube and listn to some Odean Pope yourself - imagine that sound seamlessly transitioning to a solo pianist tickling the keys with some Rachmaninoff, followed immediately by an a capella chamber choir singing Ginastera's Lamentations. Then, without a breath, you hear a comical a tuba duet framing the Jabberwoky poem, which goes right into a toe-tapping rendition of Gershwin's favorite "Strike Up the Band," and then - as if that wasn't rousing enough - a soaring soprano soloist ushers in the relentless finale of Carmina Burana. And that, folks, is just half of the second half of Collage!

Tonight's concert, in addition to being incredibly impressive and immensely enjoyable, brought to mind countless memories of my own experiences as a musician since I was in school. It's hard to believe I once performed on that stage, and now I'm proudly pointing out the kids I had the privilege to work with during their admission to the School - in some small way, introduce to that very same stage.

To quote a new friend, "It's that connection to what's underneath; the memories, sensations and feelings that can be found in a piece of music, in the physical expressions of dancing, in a poem with powerful language carefully assembled. All there if we are mindful of them."

Tonight, I was certainly mindful as I was listening and watching and often moving to the music. I was mindful of who I am - a musician and a teacher, a dancer and a writer, a counselor and a colleague. I was mindful of the future these amazing young musicians, actors and dancers will have and the connections they will make....mindful of my own connections. And, as I finally drift off to sleep, I of course have a mind full of so much wonderful music, theatre and dance!