amazing music

The Jenison Advanced Women's Chorus (of which Kate is a member), the Chamber Singers, the Wind Symphony and the Symphony Orchestra were in a side-by-side concert tonight with the Grand Rapids Symphony. The music was truly amazing. This picture was taken just before every musician involved joined together in a really moving rendition of America the Beautiful. It drowned out the noise of the rain on the roof, and the final notes physically pushed us out of our seats to applaud and cheer. I think my favorite piece, however, was the sixth movement of Faure's Requiem -- Libera me. The last time I heard the piece, the bass solo was sung by my dad. The young man that sang it tonight was wonderful. I was watching my daughter sing this piece and I was thinking of my dad, and I KNOW that he is so proud of his grandchildren and the talent they have. At times like that, I can almost see his face pushing through heaven's fabric to smile fully on us all. In music, I often feel closest to those that have gone before me.