I have always loved music. I agree with Kurt Vonnegut, who once said, “…Music is to me, proof of the existence of God.” I have often thought music is something grand that humans give back to the universe; it is enduring and universal.
This is not to imply that I am a musician by any stretch of the imagination. Sure, I can carry a tune, and yes, I can play three whole chords on the guitar, but I am what I would call a music appreciator, not a music maker.
My children are the musicians of the family. They have been able to take my general appreciation of all types of music and apply it to their daily lives. I have a son who plays trumpet in his school band and a daughter who plays violin in the orchestra. They both sing in their respective school choirs and my daughter’s singing has been supplemented with private lessons.
When it comes to their music, I am not above bribery. I promised my daughter I would buy her a quality violin for her elementary school graduation if she promised me that she would continue to play through high school. This has proven to be a hard bargain to keep. There may even be a bit of lingering resentment on her part because she has had to make tough high school scheduling decisions based on the fact that she promised to continue with orchestra.
Through the years, I have attended countless plays, concerts, recitals, and competitions. I have listened to choirs, bands, and orchestras and marched along with parades in sunshine and in rain. The early years were hard, but as with most things, the kids and the music got better as they got older. Last week I was able to attend an event at my daughter’s high school that seemed to make it all seem worthwhile.
On Friday night, the high school hosted an evening with the contemporary string ensemble, Barrage. Formed in 1996 in Calgary, Canada, Barrage consists of an international cast of six violin/fiddle players, one drummer, a bass player, and a guitar player. Together they played, danced, and sang their way through an eclectic mix of music from different cultures and genres. We heard classical, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and even disco. They brought high energy and new life to the music through their innovative fusion of instruments and styles for a truly magical evening.
My favorite songs included a jazzed up version of Ravel’s “Bolero,” a rocking tune called “Waiting for the Weekend,” the Latin sounding “Amor Perdito,” and a song called “The Ukraine,”, where the audience was asked to help keep time by clapping along. Barrage also performed a moving version of “Eleanor Rigby” by the Beatles. Their version of the big band classic, “Sing, Sing, Sing” made me want to get up and dance.
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