What makes a classic? What makes a nation? What makes a race? Indeed, what are the stories of artistry and creativity that only beautiful music can tell because it asserts the beauty and wisdom of our heavenly maker? How can we harmonize with the diversity that God has purposely created among us?
Look at a mountain or a long, hard to imagine plan that must work. Why does it take so long to get something from its basic dreamy unprocessed state to the concert hall? And it also takes so long for people to truly communicate, understand, and love each other? I take comfort in the verse of this hymn that declares, “Jesus the name that calms our fears that bids our sorrows cease, its music in the sinner’s ears ’tis life and health and peace.” I feel wistful and hopeful as I turn the corner to the new year and tackle the challenges ahead.
And each active step we take toward getting there–to have harmony and holiness earth as it is in heaven–feels like we are only at the foot of the mountain.
So as I clean up Christmas music projects and begin the scheduling of new projects with my talented friends I am committed to being curious and content. I am curious to see how God can weave me together with musicians and audiences near and far through the wonder of technology and travel. I am content to clean up scraps of papers and plans and get the show on the road for 2021.
I feel packing for the journey will involve my manuscript paper, metronome, my reeds–but I really will get nowhere at all if I can’t be thankful for how music blessed me in a year that I could never have imagined. And I hope the little joys you and I have in encouraging new performers and composers will expand as we carve out time to cultivate people and the amazing, thoughtful music of 2021.
Doran Music Studio 