Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps. (ESV)
This week I forced myself to come up with a limited list of projects and habits I would focus on for the musical 2021. I had a plan to plan in great detail and then I got laid low with sickness and had no strength to do the analyzing, reading, composing, ear training, organizing and practicing that I thought was needed for this way. So the concept of “Musical Mountains” was spoken of to everyone in the studio and even if we didn’t have the most detailed map I tried to get everyone to look at the challenging things they could accomplish “for sure” in 6 months even if they stumble at it now. One had the slow section of Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, another recognized endurance work with Tchaikovsky’s June on the flute and a possible need to just make the finger go faster which could be prompted by memorizing some etudes and transposing them. It is too hard to play the Merry Farmer by Schumann if Level 2A Piano Adventures is not easy; but look where we can go if we try one step at a time. Memorization, music competitions, theory contests….. and get that list of what to do when together.
Sometimes we just need a little push out the door to inspire ourselves and others, right? And if we have a plan and practice running forward each day we won’t run backwards on the day of the race even if we don’t win or run as fast as we want. We will run this beautiful and musical race marked out only for us and music was put on our path for a purpose of joy. The steps God has for us in music only need to be accomplished with faith one step at a time–we just can’t plan our way because only God sees how everything works together for his glory and the good of his kingdom. Feeling paralyzed and confused is horrible but it passes. I am ready to go forward in spite of confusion and sickness and unrest and disappointment and I am sure you are as well.
In the spirit of MLK who said everyone can be great because everyone can serve, Krystal Grant my most talented musical friend is taking time to get to know what people truly value and arrange her future compositions around truth rather than stereotypes. What a noble task. It is because we are all made in God’s image that justice and love should reign among us rather than violence and oppression. Better and healing days are ahead.
Please invest in America’s musical future by taking her thoughtful survey and keep taking those steps on your musical mountains and enjoy them for all they are worth.
More information about this project can be found at http://arsarvole.com/.
take it here:
Doran Music Studio 
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