A Musical Message

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Wanted: Musicians to share their gifts at Sunday morning gatherings – no experience necessary!

I have been playing my folk songs now and then at Baltimore Ethical Society for almost three years, and I always enjoy it. For me music is a path to my heart, an exercise for the right side of my brain, and an immediate and warm way to connect with others. Everyone appreciates music differently, but most at BES seem to just enjoy this little bit of harmony in our program.

I particularly liked the part of our Fall Festival when our Sunday school teacher Linda Joy got us all singing and making rhythm with her bag of instruments. The room was filled with both primal energy and childlike joy – it was just plain fun. On December 16 we had the pleasure of hearing flutist and composer, Jan Seiden present her platform, “Transformation and Transcendence.” Music certainly can help us transcend the mundane and transform our selves and the world. It is a powerful tool. Music has been used to calm and to rile – it can stimulate meditation or violence. The drums of war have too often generated the martial spirit that intoxicates us to the point of barbarism. Used well, however, it can bring out the best in us too.

As a tradition, Ethical Culture is very much about the head, especially the analytical left side of the brain. Through the years, however, we have evolved as a movement and become more aware of the diversity of people attracted to humanism. By offering music now and then, we serve a broader range of our member’s needs and wishes. Music also helps us appreciate better the importance of accessing different parts of our own personality. Even Felix Adler, the stern founder of Ethical Culture, saw the “pleasing and grateful auxiliary” of music in his movement as helping “to elevate the heart and give rest to the feelings.” I love contributing to that part of Ethical Culture.

But, one man does not a music program make. Besides, I am only in Baltimore twice a month – so I hardly offer enough musical notes to fill our hall. Why not consider sharing your musical gifts more regularly with the Baltimore Ethical Society. We even have an all-too-little-used electric piano that serves more as a shelf than an instrument. It was purchased years ago through the efforts of several members and is eager to sing out more regularly. Unfortunately, I don’t play piano. Do you? Do you play other instruments? Do you sing? Don’t be shy! Don’t get stage fright! Even the simplest of tunes is a gift to our community. Everybody can make music. Help dress up our Sunday morning platforms. See me if you need to be convinced!

I leave you with some inspiring words about music. Writer and humanist Aldous Huxley made the startling point that “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” Jimi Hendrix proclaimed, “Music is my religion.” And the immortal William Shakespeare noted, “If music be the food of love, play on.” Help add to the harmonious atmosphere by dusting off your rhythmical, melodious talents so that at BES the music can play on!

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