Funeral Musicing
May 12th, 2007 by vincebates
Yesterday we participated in Kristin’s grandma’s funeral. I accompanied a couple of songs on piano, one song with guitar, and played the organ for a congregational hymn and for the postlude. I also played a medley of a few of Grandma’s favorite songs that she used to play using what she called the “chord method.” For me, musicing at funerals is a beautiful experience; songs can mean so much when considered in light of a life well-lived, temporary loss of a loved one, and the reunion of family members. Our seven-year-old son, Landon, sang a solo, I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me by Clara W. McMaster, and really touched the hearts of those in attendance.
Whenever I hear the song of a bird or look at the blue, blue sky
Whenever I feel the rain on my face or the wind as it rushes by
Whenever I touch a velvet rose or walk by our lilac tree
I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me.
He gave me my eyes that I might see the color of butterfly wings
He gave me my ears that I might hear the magical sound of things
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart. I thank him reverently
For all his creations of which I’m a part
Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.
Landon hasn’t had formal vocal instruction, but we sing a lot at home and he has developed a nice, clear, relaxed voice.
There’s a connection here to music education: We ought to consider the long-term uses our students will find for the musicing that we teach. Funerals are one such application. Are we teaching our students to sing the types of songs that people would find meaningful in such a setting? Are we teaching them to accompany themselves and others on guitar or piano? One of the most requested performers for funerals in the small town of Eureka, Utah where I used to teach was a middle-aged, blue-collar, “manly man” who sang country songs (Tears in Heaven, for example) accompanied by his Karaoke machine. Do we encourage this type of singing in school? I think it would make sense to do so as part of the general aim to foster lifelong musicing.
Great post!