Monday, June 09, 2008

Senior Chorus Concert

This past Friday was my daughter's Senior Chorus Concert. As a special tradition, the seniors are allowed to do a duet or trio with a friend or two choosing any song they like. Brittany, or as her friends at school call her, Alex, and 2 friends chose Dust in the Wind. She asked me to accompany them on my guitar.

I was a bit nervous as I'm not big on performing. Leading worship at church is a totally different thing. Performing asks for greater scrutiny. Nonetheless, I was so privileged to play for the big crescendo of her high school singing career.

Take a listen:


There was an unexpected surprise at the end of the concert. First you must know the background. Last year, their beloved music director, Mr. Brown, had resigned and moved away. It was a crushing blow for the students whom he had deeply impacted. Mrs. Rice had very large shoes to fill coming in this year as the new director.

At the end of the concert the seniors would sing their final song. She said, "I have a surprise for you. Directing the final piece will be...Mr. Brown." The whole choir gasped as he came running in from the side. They were incredulous. He was so moved by the opportunity he was crying and shaking. As the song began, you could not even hear the first 3 lines as they were so moved by his return.

Everyone was touched by this selfless act of Mrs. Rice. Her moment to shine, the big finish, validation, vindication...she chose Love.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Amazing Skies

We just spent Christmas and the New Year with my parents and 5 siblings and families in a log cabin in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. The cabin had a large balcony/porch overlooking a forested valley with mountains in the background. One day we watched the sun traverse the sky somehow creating 2 hot-spots with rainbows crossing them.



There was also a 3rd rainbow straight up above us in the clear sky. Unbelievable.








This is a pic of Sunrise off Interstate 90 between Rochester and Syracuse January 8th, 2008.