Last week the high school orchestra had the honor and pleasure of sitting side by side with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. A huge thank-you to everyone involved and especially to Lucas Richman, Maestro of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.
He truly inspires our children. It was a thrill to see Mimi sitting next to Ehsan Kartel playing cello and then the greatest surprise of all was her playing the piano with the orchestra.
Music plays a huge part in our lives. It isn't the object of one more thing to do. It isn't with the notion that it will make my children "more well rounded". I feel living creatively does that. These are the wonderful shared moments where words haven't any place.
One of the music methods/philosophies we have used is the Suzuki Method. Sensei Suzuki imagined each child was a master of music. The essence of his philosophy may be found in the following quotes from his many writings:
"Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited".
"Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens, noble human beings. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth, and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets beautiful heart."
"Where love is deep, much will be accomplished."
"My dream is for the happiness of all children. I feel respect and friendly feelings for everyone. In particular, I cannot help but feel respect and warm feelings for young children. And my heart brims over with a desire to help make all the children born upon the earth fine human beings, happy people, people of superior ability. My whole life energies are devoted to this end."
"Man is the son of his environment."
"An unlimited amount of ability can develop when parent and child are having fun together."
"Music is a language that goes beyond speech and letters - a living art that is almost mystical. This is where its emotional impact comes in. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven - without exception they live clearly and palpably in their music, and speak forcefully to us, purifying us, refining us, and awakening in us the highest joy and emotion."
