“The Practice of Joy”
Happy Spring, everyone! Most of us rejoice even to think of the weather as warming, the angle of the sun shifting, and the promise of our garden blooming again. As we experience these sensations, they can remind us of feeling joy. Probably, joy is an individual matter, to be answered by each of us moment to moment that changes upon a dime. Is it a collaboration of factors? Warmer weather helps, but I ascertain that it is the power of music lingering in my imagination that brings me joy upon the very thought of it. It is incumbent upon me be in the state, meditatively, to let my thoughts drift toward the music of my inner life.
Joy would be shallow indeed if it was. only a happy and individual memory. Music that is shared is what brings me a deep and profound joy. Singing at the bedside of a hospice patient who responds to our group singing gives me joy. Playing and singing with others as one part of a larger group gives me joy. Listening to music played by others is great, as I love being on the appreciation-end of music making. And so, I ask: what music gives you joy? I invite you to reach out to me with that information. Your connecting to me with one of your music favorites would be a joyous sharing. (music@fpwatertown.org)
Music at First Parish in April:
April 20th is Easter and Earth Day. Our choir is singing: “Down to the River to Pray” and a piece of by Mozart called, “Ave Verum Corpus.”
Charlyn Bethell
Charlyn’s professional training has followed two paths: as a professional oboist and as a music teacher and conductor. As Music Director at First Parish, she joins these two paths of her musical life, conducting the choir, coordinating guest musicians, and performing on oboe.