My husband and I went to the Idaho Falls Symphony concert last Saturday. What a wonderful experience! We thoroughly enjoyed the performance. After the concert, the audience was invited to meet Thomas Heuser, candidate to be the new conductor of the symphony, in the lobby. As we waited our turn to speak with Mr. Heuser, there was a young man of about 12 years of age ahead of us. This young man was obviously moved by the performance….literally. He was jumping up and down talking about how wonderful the music was and how much fun he had listening to the concert. It was such a joy to watch.
I got to thinking about the power of music. How music can move grown men to tears or a 12 year old boy to jump for joy. I have had WW 2 veterans come to me after I played a gig with a swing band, tears welling in their eyes telling me how many great memories the music brought back to them. I’ve watched from the stage as old people, dancing to the music of their youth, are made young again and young men woo young ladies. I have performed 4th of July concerts where people, overcome with patriotism, wildly wave Old Glory to the music.
As musicians, we have the power to move people through the music in us.