A New Song For Easter

O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Psalm 95:1-2

I played the flute for 15 years. And I haven’t played the flute in 15 years. This Easter Sunday I sat on stage eyes poised on the director waiting for the downbeat. I was ready.

When I joined the choir last fall our director, Anna, asked if I could read music. Yes, I use to play the flute. Oh really her eyes twinkled. What’s your range she asked? I told her. I knew she had just filed away from vital musical information about me.

In February when we pulled out the choir music to start practicing for Easter Anna asked if I’d like to play the flute with the ensemble. You can play second part while Beth plays the top part. Umm, sure. I went home and pulled my flute out of the closet. I started practicing scales. Ouch my mouth was sore. I was out of shape. My hands remembered the fingerings but they weren’t very nimble. I worked on old scale exercises to get in shape.

The next week Anna handed me seven pages of a traditional medley of hymns and two pages of a contemporary finale. I started working on it. I was still rusty but it was coming along. A week later I got a CD Anna had made for me to practice with. Yikes, parts of it were much faster than I’d imagined. I kept practicing.

The Saturday before Easter was our big rehearsal. A piano, 2 flutes, 3 trumpets, a saxophone, a trombone, and a French horn accompanied the choir. Gee maybe the brass will drown me out. Anna called us to attention. We’ll do the whole thing once and then go back to any trouble spots. My heart raced when we finished. I made it through however I was flat every time I played a high C sharp. The other musicians called out places they wanted to try again. I was surprised to find everyone needed practice. I relaxed and got to work with the ensemble.

I waited for the Easter downbeat. The adrenaline rush of performance gave everyone a lift. It sounded wonderful. From trumpet to flute, soprano to bass it was a joyful blend of praise.

What fun to use an old talent in a new way. I raised my flute in song to God for the first time in two decades. I have a renewed respect for accomplished musicians and I also have a happy feeling of God smiling at my offering.

What dormant talent do you have? Is it time to brush off some old skills and use them in a new way?

Posted 4/18/2006 @ 7:24 PM | Weekly Thoughts