Learning and Growing

Wise men and women are always learning,

always listening for fresh insights.

Proverbs 18:15

This weekend, I will have the privilege of making music with two wonderfully talented young people.  I met them both at the high school specialty center where I teach vocal performance.  The young man is a great pianist and a skilled music arranger; the young woman is an amazing oboe player.  He will be starting his second year at The College of William and Mary as a mathematics major and music minor.  She will be leaving in a couple of weeks for the Midwest, starting her freshman year at Indiana University as a music performance major.

I love these kids because they are so willing and anxious to learn.  They love to try new things, scale new heights, find new ways of doing things.  Sunday we will be performing a trio - Celtic Farewell - with piano, oboe and handbells.  None of the three of us has ever performed in this combination before, so it is a learning curve and an exciting adventure.  The music is beautiful and we are striving to perform it with the respect it deserves.  We had our main rehearsal this evening - making notes and trying/re-trying passages to get them just right.  It was delightful music-making and a great deal of fun!

The media is filled with stories of kids gone bad - kids in trouble - kids that are failing and flailing.  Rarely do we hear about young people who are going about the business of living and growing - taking it one step at a time and doing it right.  How are the youth faring in your neck of the woods?  Is there a boy or girl that could use your encouragement and concern?  Is there someone in your neighborhood or church that you could mentor?  Making yourself available to assist a child or youth is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do.