On August 1st, I will start as the new
Organist and Adult Choirmaster of Christ Church, Ridgewood. The last couple of weeks have been a
mix of emotions. I have been a
very fortunate person with the churches that I have served as organist and
music director. There have been so
many lives that have intersected with mine, and I am blessed. I have forged great friendships with
people and in this busy day of Internet, smart phones, texting, tweeting, and other
forms of social media, I do my best to keep in touch with people. So what has me in this contemplative
mood?
As I go through several boxes of music and sundry items that
I have amassed in almost twenty years, it is almost like going back in
time. So many people have asked me
when did I start playing organ. To
be honest, and I still think this today, I was a late bloomer starting piano
just before I turned 10 and was literally dropped into playing organ before age
13 (that was a hot summer I will never
forget). From that point
onward, it has been this lifelong partnership of regular Sundays that I rarely
felt a need to run away from it or abandon. Instead, I just knew it would be something that would be for
life—but not knowing where it would take me. My mother says that it is a divine calling, one that I
should never ignore (although, she feels
that I should be more grounded in my Lutheran roots, but I am playing for an
Episcopal church).
If I could recommend something to read, it would be Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr.
Seuss. This should be required
reading of every human. If you
haven’t, I will not give it away—just read it. You will see your life in print on the pages of this
children’s classic and you will be in awe. I wish I read this book years ago, but I’m glad I did this
spring.
Ah, my time capsule of music. There are pieces that I have kept a hold of over the years
and they each have a story. They
tell a story of a would-be organist from Brooklyn thinking he knew everything and
his journey from the city, through college, and the churches that he would
serve beyond. Some stories are
memorable and sweet, others a little bitter, but every one a learning
experience. As I prepare to move
my career in several boxes, these last couple of weeks of packing, condensing,
and letting go has offered many remembrances. I can honestly say that I have grown as a musician and in my
faith, and will continue to grow.
This is the joy of a life-long learner: I don’t know everything, but I’m going to have fun trying! Same organ shoes, but a new bench and a
new chapter in my career.
There’s fun to be done!
