I am reminded in these past few days that we are all better when we focus on causes and issues outside of ourselves. While you may despise the commercialism of American Idol , you can't deny that the cause
Idol Gives Back raised money for (HIV/AIDS; Children in Africa and Poverty Stricken Families in America) was noble and needed.
And, the
stories are real. Children
are being left homeless. They
are starving. They
are dying.
A few years ago, when Tony Vacca visited our school, he brought members of
Gokhi-Bi System with him. These were 5 young men from West Senegal on the continent of Africa. They created a musical language which was blend of traditional African Music, American Hip Hop and French Rap. One of the lines was
"Why must they Die, Why? Why? Why?"
The answer is that there is no good reason for children to die anywhere in this world if enough
financial, medical and human resources are provided.
I am humbled by the enormous problem and sadness of so many millions on the Dark Continent. I am a better person when I focus on (and try to help) the sadness and challenges of other people. Our problems are NOTHING in comparison to the babies and children who face homelessness, sickness, and the danger of starvation.
I think of these things while teaching. And, I wonder, when students have a hard time settling down, or are disruptive or rude whether they have truly put themselves in another's shoes? Because, once you have, arrogance, rudeness, selfishness and the ego have a strange way of disappearing. When they do, we are better.
The performance of Music requires this kind of selflessness. Letting go is the greatest challenge of achieving a truly powerful musical moment in rehearsal or in a concert. Experiencing, empathizing with and giving to a cause greater than our little selves is the path to personal
and musical greatness.
