Music for my Soul

Houston Person Autographs my CD

It's been a while since I've posted about attending live performances, but tonight's had me reflecting on where I've been and where I am now, especially as I think about why I raise money for RRR and do that work. 

Tonight, the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State kicked off its season with the Emmet Cohen Trio and guest Houston Person, an 84 year old tenor saxophonist. Cohen, a young, new-on-the-scene pianist, is passionate about bringing generations of jazz musicians together.

Chatting with Emmet

Other than listening to a bit of Cohen and Person's music before the performance and reading a couple of articles about them, I didn't know much about their music.

Let's just say that I be-bopped and smiled the whole way through the concert. Those of us who chatted after the concert remarked that a high bar had been set for the rest of the season--and that this was wayyy better than watching the debates!

Houston Person is One Cool Man!

I especially enjoyed chatting with Mr. Person after the event. We talked about how I used to play saxophone too, but didn't continue with it. Instead of showing disappointment in that, he said: "that's okay! We need people who play and listen. We need people who appreciate the music, too! We need both kinds."

I'm finally able to stop longing for the days that I could play and just sit back and enjoy the music. I'm able to appreciate the foundation that playing an instrument and my incredible teachers instilled in me.

I'm thankful and grateful for the performances that we are able to go to.

Cohen and Person Autographs!

Music fills my soul--especially live music and performances (dance, musicals, etc.)--and this concert was exceptional. It was the epitome of joy and unity in a time of divisiveness.

Hey, Emmet and Emily Have Matching Jewish Noses! :) 

But it's not just the music that makes my soul so happy. It's that I can go to these performances now. It's that I can sit near the front. It's that I can walk to and from the car without any problems. It's that I can chit chat with the staff and fellow community members I see there. It's that I can be fully immersed in the experience with only minimal symptoms. (I'm not going to pretend things are *easy* yet.) It's that I can stay afterwards for photo ops and autographs. It's that I can be more fully engaged in this world.

And part of being fully engaged in this world, for me, is having live music and art as part of my life.

I can't wait for more performances this season!

Blessings,

Emily