4 minute read
Musical Director's Message
Of Angels Bending, Creating, Dreaming, & Effort
This year, we dedicate our show to two phenomenal women who have shaped – and continue to shape – our collective in far more ways than we can say. The living Icon that is Lindy-Ann Bodden-Ritch , and the now deceased Janine Charles-Farray . Janine joins the choir of angels who watch over us: those who flew too close to the earth; whose wings touched the land and caused them to be born flesh and dwell in human form among us – but only for a time.
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It is fitting, I believe, that Angelic hosts are referred to as Choirs.
I consider this, as I think that there is no more awesome and awe-full experience than a group sounding together “in concert.” From stories of shouts felling Jericho’s walls to masses performing Mahler and Beethoven, I marvel at the thought that there are few things so magnificent and momentous as spirits banding together in common cause.
Throughout my now…20 years (jeez I started young) of writing ‘love letters and nerd notes’ to audiences, I typically now find myself laughing at how I articulate ‘the thing’ – in a way persons may find relatable. I don’t know that I am always successful – the rolling eyes of previous editors attest to that – but, as in all things worth it, this does not remit our effort.
This phrase puts me in mind of a line from our Mission Statement – (A sort of Credo/ ‘Credimusnostrae ’ – with apologies to the tutor who tried to teach me Latin in high school):
You may, after rolling your eyes at me as well, note that my Latin declension pluralises what to Christians is a singular declaration. The Creeds which are recited in the religious observances are personal in nature. The adherents to the faith may say them collectively, but these words speak to individual convictions.
One of the main things I love about the Lydian Mission statement is that it is not singular. It must exist in a collective, and so demands being said collectively as a shared experience. It only works “in concert.”
A Framework to make Earthly Angels of us all
The Lydian Mission Statement is an 18-line, nearly 200-word declaration of collective values and mission, but more than that, one can take from it a blueprint for living in service of humanity and the world.
Contained are a set of beliefs that hold:
- The aim to develop ourselves and our abilities as best as possible, while helping others in their development.
- An acknowledgement that patience and humility are par for the course in this journey of learning and teaching
- That a belief in God extends to living peacefully with and in service to God’s creations (feeding the hungry; healing the sick; educating the untaught; bringing solace to those grieving; to mark the presence of God in moments of joy)
- And most importantly, an acknowledgement that we do not aim for perfection, but for excellence.
This, as given in the quoted line earlier, is what I believe distinguishes a Lydian journey – an understanding that we aim to be and do excellent things –without the yoke and dispiriting goal of perfection. We acknowledge that we have set ourselves the task of doing and being our best selves and community, understanding that this will always be short of perfection, but that this reality should not and does not diminish our efforts.
Since my first brush with this mission in 2014, I have found wells of grace within myself, and become more aware of the extension of patience and grace from others on life’s journey. May we all grow in the graces of all we meet and know, and similarly may they grow in ours.
If I may leave you with two things, after the meandering stream of consciousness we just navigated together:
To our audiences:
- John Steinbeck, East of Eden (Lee and Abra, Chapter 53)
And to my Lydian Family:
You are good. When voices, hands and hearts align in service to music and mission, you are at your most heavenly. It is awe-inspiring. Continue to love each other.
Bless, Carl Anthony Hines
December 2022
