Masses and Madrigals

Could you hazard a guess as to who are some of the busiest people in the world at Christmas time? They would be the musicians - especially professional ones. Why is that? Well, for some reason, everyone in the world is attracted to holiday programs, and especially musical ones at this time of year. And those same "everyones" would really like for the music to be special and well done. This means that when one is trying to make a living at being a musician, a good part of the year is spent in famine, and the holidays are feast-time.

The problem with this is that, for those musicians who are also strongly connected to the fellowship of a church, things begin to get very complicated. Choices have to be made, one or another person disappointed, and said musicians wear themselves to nubs at a time when we are all to be mindful of the peace of the message of the arrival of God's Son.

For some time now, I have not really had to make some of those difficult decisions, because I have not been on the professional "call list". The calls for "gigs" that used to start in October every year - those calls don't come any more. There are reasons for that - namely that, for many years I decided to say "no" in order to be able to attend my own children's performances, and secondly, because there are plenty of younger and hungrier musicians out there now to take my place. They are better able to whip through those allegro passages of the "Messiah" several times a weekend, and, I am happy for them to do that.

On the other hand, I still am thrilled to get to play/sing during the holidays, on my own terms. That sounds a bit selfish I guess, but is certainly not meant to be. I just love to be able to pick the events in which to participate.

For instance, for four days straight, I will be involved either in performances or rehearsals for 2 events - a children's musical (a delightfully well-written bit of story and song) and a madrigal dinner. (Now you see the connection with the picture above from our local RenFest.) I never have done a dinner like this before, but my daughter did - twice, in high school. And because of my previous decisions, I was able to attend both of those events, and relish in watching her and hearing her sing. Next Tuesday's portrayal of that feast will be my chance to blend my skills with those of the many, and to feast at the holiday musical table in the way most appropriate to where I "live" today.

And my heart will be full.