This past week I've heard yet another story from a mature adult, still carrying the scars from childhood where she was told to "just open your mouth and pretend - don't make any noise tho'.." .
This person believed that very negative conditioning - after all, they were told that by an adult in authority - and consequently has gone through life devoid of the pleasure of making music...and yet wanting to make music.
This is a natural human desire. We hear the sounds of music in life around us, constantly; the jazz hum of a hive of bees; the flute and bell sounds of the birds; even the breeze in the leaves is creating music. It's everywhere. How sad when we fail to encourage people to find, to discover the joy of music, the rhythm of life - regardless of age. How hard is it to go through life wanting something that you believe you can never have?
I get excited when I get a raw voice to work with - whether its a private tutoring or a new member of one of the chorus groups. Because I know, I've seen and heard, what happens when we help people find their voice.
It HEALS. It provides a sense of achievement - in some, almost wonder. (wow, did I really make that sound?!)
And it builds confidence - because if we find our voice, if we can confidently release it to the world around us, we can do anything!
What a gift to give someone you care about. It can cost - well - nothing even! Yet it's priceless because the gift of music lasts a lifetime
