“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.” —Albert Einstein
With imagination as our theme for May, I am excited! As a musician, imagination of sounds and music in general is what I love. Think of a Beethoven symphony and probably something comes to your mind. Or a favorite hymn or a pop song. It speaks to an inner life that is full and dynamic, with ongoing changes that are delightful. Also, as a player of music, I constantly am hearing the music I intent to play during a rehearsal or performance. I hear not only myself, but the sounds made my those around me. It takes my entire concentration for this and the benefit for me is that I am in an almost meditative state. Musical imagination makes me feel whole.
Einstein’s idea is that our singular and collective imagination brings to us a world that could be. It is a world that we create because we first envision it. As we proceed together this month with a focus on imagination, may we plan the ways we will act to make our world as we want it to be.
May it be so!
Music in May at First Parish:
May 4th: Special music will be two movements from Wildflower Trio for oboe, bassoon and piano by San Francisco composer, Jenni Brandon.
May 10th is the Variety Show!
May 18th: the choir will sing two pieces, Tshotsholoza, a piece that means “Going forward” that will be sung in the Zulu language and When I Can Read My Title Clear, an old American hymn tune in a medley with two other hymns.
May 25th: Jean Gauthier will be singing the John Lennon song, Imagine.
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.