Actually, it all began back in November on Veteran's Day and has morphed into the holiday season. We sang on Veteran's Day at Beaches Veteran's Memorial Park, at a fundraising event at the American Legion Post 129, and at "Holidays in the Village," a fundraiser for the Beaches Historical Museum. The following weekend, we performed at "Christmas in the Park" for the City of Neptune Beach and supported Interact's fundraiser for "K-9s for Wounded Warriors" at Slider's. Our Holiday Extravaganza concert with the band and dance team at Fletcher was last Thursday and tonight is "Deck the Chairs" - a fundraiser for the Volunteer Lifesaving Corps of Jacksonville Beach. We will be spreading cheer to holiday travelers on the 18th at Jacksonville International Airport. And so it goes....
It is a busy time of year for a musician. I was a charter member of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in my early 20's and I recall December being extremely busy with performances of Handel's "Messiah." In my former life, I was a church musician (worship team, children's choir director, adult choir director, soloist, etc.) Three to four services on Christmas Eve, "Holiday Hallelujah" performances, "A Bethlehem Visit" live nativity, midnight mass, candlelight service - you name it - I sang in it!
As I reflect on this aspect of my life, it makes me tired...but it also makes me happy to know that my musical gift has brought so much joy to thousands of people in our community. My hope is that my students will one day look back on the madness and say, "I sacrificed my time and my energy to bless others" and it was worth it!
I will be planted in the crowd tonight at "Deck the Chairs" to encourage others to join in with the Christmas Carol Sing-Along at the end of the show. I hope to see you there!!
"Deck the Chairs" - 2014
BEAM food collection station
My peeps!
Boys from the 'hood
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