Monday, April 24, 2017

A Musical Model of Community

The Fountain City Brass Band provided not only a wonderful concert at the Mount on Sunday but a meditation on the Body of Christ in action:

• This band was indeed many parts—soprano cornet, solo cornet, repiano cornet, 2nd cornet, 3rd cornet, flugelhorn, tenor horn, baritone, trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, E-flat bass, B-flat bass, various percussion instruments, and conductor—that melded together into one body to create beautiful music.

• Had any members of the band been missing, the sound wouldn’t have been as rich and stirring.

• Different instruments came to the forefront in different pieces of music, and opportunities existed for soloists to shine.

• A few musicians played more than one instrument when the need existed.

• The audience became a part of this musical body through our attentive listening and applause, and this connection was honored when the band played “Happy Birthday” for Sr. Rosann Eckart, who was called forth to conduct the band as they played for her.

• The band members aren’t paid but are volunteers who perform out of love for the music.

I’m grateful that the members of the Fountain City Brass Band responded to the invitation to become part of this exceptional body of musicians, and for reminding us, as we sometimes sing, “What can be sweeter to us than the voice of the Lord inviting us? Behold in his loving kindness, the Lord shows us the way to life.” The way to life entails learning to live in community, and when we do, we will have beautiful music to accompany us on the way.

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