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I love music!

I love orchestras, the way instruments blend sounds to produce such beauty.

I especially love when a guest artist, whether a pianist, cellist or violinist as in this video, is expressive.

I can literally see the emotions she is feeling flow from her into the instrument she is playing.

Where did music come from? How did it begin?

Someone had to be the first to rub a stick against a dried animal ligament and produce something pleasing but I can’t imagine it.

Where would we be without music in our lives?

At pop concerts, it’s not uncommon to see people crying as they watch the singer voice words that have touched their hearts in a personal way. The singer has opened a window into pain or joy and it clearly resonates with some of those listening. S/he is literally singing their song.

So it made me wonder how often you open the window to your deepest feelings to your listeners. How letting them peek at the person behind the curtain works to generate an emotional bond that’s deeper than the one felt by casual listeners whose story you are not telling.

It must be terrifying, trusting people you don’t actually know with something so personal and raw.

But you know intuitively that this is the surest way to bind some who are listening to you. It’s uncommon, surprising, which makes it noticeable.

And I wonder how often you allow yourself to feel what some of your listeners must be feeling when you play certain songs, often for the millionth time in your career.

We used to call it “selling the music,” actively endorsing how a particular song makes you, the air talent, feel as you listen along with your those in your audience.

I don’t hear that much these days. Perhaps it takes too many words.

I can listen to this piece every day and never tire of it.

From whence cometh this stunning beauty?

From whence cometh this most amazing gift?