The story of Thomas Greene, or “Blind Tom”, is sadly a story that we continue to hear – if only in new ways. He was born enslaved in Georgia in 1849. The family (Bethunes) who enslaved him enjoyed music, so he was introduced to music at a young age and began to display remarkable gifts. Thomas was most likely what we would recognize today as an autistic savant. He could listen to music and perform it back remarkably well. The Bethunes took advantage of his talent and began having him perform throughout the United States. In fact, he was the first African American to perform for a United States President, and he did this at the age of 11! I wish I could say that after the Civil War, Thomas enjoyed freedom, but he remained tied to the Bethunes until he died – writing music and playing concerts for their financial benefit. The piece that Wren played today is called The boy with the axles in his hands (1866). She picked this piece because it made her feel happy … she said “I liked the happy mood.” What did Wren learn? She “learned that he didn’t give up in life despite challenges.” Perseverance is a great life skill! Thank you Thomas Greene!!!
Historical information and arrangements from Music by Black Composers (MBC) Violin Volume 1. Published by Ludwig Masters Publications 2018. Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.
The music for today is by an American Composer! Thomas J. Martin was from New Orleans. He was a free man before the Civil War, and wrote quite a bit of music in the late1850s. This piece was quite popular (according to the Music by Black Composers book). Not much is known about Martin….so this title seems appropriate.
Historical information and arrangements from Music by Black Composers (MBC) Violin Volume 1. Published by Ludwig Masters Publications 2018. Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.
Today we would like to introduce you to Ignatius Sancho who was born in 1727 on a slave ship from West Africa to the West Indies. He was orphaned by 2 years old when he was sold to sisters living in London. At some point during his childhood he met the Duke of Montague who eventually bought him and taught him to read, write and also music. When the Dutchess of Montague died, Sancho became free, married and owned a grocery. He primarily wrote minuets and other dances. Wren enjoyed playing Just So In the North and she says likes this piece because “it’s very lively.” She also “especially likes the contrast between the two themes.” The music made her feel “happy and free.” I wonder if Sancho could help us feel this freedom because he understood what it felt like to live without it? Just So In the North was written around 1767.
Historical information and arrangements from Music by Black Composers (MBC) Violin Volume 1. Published by Ludwig Masters Publications 2018. Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.
We are just looking everywhere we can for hope. For a just society where everyone enjoys the same freedoms. I know I have a lot to learn, but I’m willing, and hoping to teach Wren. Today we went to a peaceful protest. We stood with signs along a busy road near our home. A lot of people came out with signs with various messages. I felt so many things while I stood there listening to people blow their horns and wave out of car window. I mostly felt remorse. At one point, an African American family stopped in front of us at a traffic light. The little girl was smiling and waving at Rick, and I noticed that her mom was making a video and crying. I was so sad that I have been so slow to listen, to act… I am trying to listen. I want to be better. I want to act. It’s way past time.
We listen to a lot of classical music in our home. When you think of classical composers, you probably immediately think of Mozart or Bach or another white man. They were amazing composers, no doubt, but there are a lot of amazing composers of color too! Rachel Barton Pine, an amazing violinist from Chicago, has collected music by black composers into a book for young violinists. Today, Rachel’s daughter, Sylvia, played these pieces in a recital. We have the collection, so Wren is going to be learning them, and learning about the composers who have written such amazing music. This will be our theme for “hymns of comfort” for a while. Won’t you learn with us?
Theme from Sonata No. 4 for Two Violins was written around 1780 by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. He was born to an enslaved woman and a plantation owner on the island of Guadeloupe, but moved to Paris with his family when he was 13. Saint-Georges was among the first composers in France to write string quartets, and he wrote symphonies that inspired Mozart! We hope you enjoyed…and maybe the music stirred a little hope?
Historical information and arrangements from Music by Black Composers (MBC) Violin Volume 1. Published by Ludwig Masters Publications 2018. Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.
Today we remembered the suffering of George Floyd and so many others. Wren was practicing, but at 3:45 we stopped what we were doing and were silent for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. A lifetime….
We are all Children of the Heavenly Father!
It’s really hard to know how to teach my child how to respond to this week. She keeps asking “why is this happening”? I don’t know what to tell her…but we all went to a lament walk tonight (Stayed back from the crowd to avoid the virus)….
For now…we will try to live like this:
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. Micah 6:8 (the Message)
That’s what I’m hoping for! I’m hoping for peace and reconciliation – of all people and all of creation. Here is Wren’s hymn of comfort…
Speaking of new mornings! The cicadas are starting to wake up! We are experiencing a cicada emergence here! I know most people don’t like these, but I think they are very cool! I can’t believe that these insects are older than my child! They have been developing underground for 17 years. The nymphs have been feeding on tree roots for the past 17 years, and have emerged since our ground temperature is now over 64F. I had fun exploring today and seeing every above-ground stage! My family thinks I’m kidding when I say we are having these for dinner! Insect protein is a very important food source in a lot of the world. Cicadas are actually pretty good! I think they taste like almonds… Cyclical insect emergences provide big nutrition boosts to people and wildlife alike! Be on the lookout for healthy bird, squirrel and chipmunk populations – they will all take advantage of all of the cicadas!! Want to read more? Check out this page!
Nymph – arriving above-groundAdult emergingEmerged adult – wings unfurled – waiting to dryexoskeleton of nymphso many cicadas have emerged!!Adult – able to fly
P.S. I guess there is some risk in eating cicadas…thanks to pollution. Because they are underground for 17 years, they would have time to absorb and retain any toxins in the soil. So, eat at your own risk… I’m still tempted!
I don’t have much to say tonight. We need peace, and I think our kids will be the peacemakers. We must teach them! It’s a big responsibility. I’m up for it!
It’s a promise that’s hard to remember in days like these. What a horrible week. The murder of George Floyd followed the horrible murders of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and so many others! So much pain, and frustration and seemingly little justice… What do we do? That’s what my child has been asking. I’m not sure what to do other than pray, and if there is an opportunity to join in a peaceful protest we will go. The hymn of comfort tonight is an anthem that my mom (Anna Laura Page) wrote a long time ago (with text by J. Paul Williams). We thought that it was appropriate for this week. We feel peace when we listen to it, and hope you will too. It’s a setting of Isaiah 11:6-9:
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
I actually sang this anthem to Wren as her lullaby when she was a baby. I want her to know the peace that we will find in the Holy Mountain of the Lord. I also want her to grow to be a peace-maker in times like the ones we are living through now. I can’t explain to her the hate and racism that has led us to the events we are watching unfold, but I can offer her an understanding that we are called to work as agents of reconciliation. Showing Christ’s love to others – and that is much stronger than the hate we are seeing now. So playing this piece tonight is her offering of peace. (Thanks Nonnie for helping us record your amazing anthem!)
Creation Will Be at Peace by Anna Laura Page and J. Paul Williams
Text:
In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
in the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace.
In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
In the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace.
The wolf will lie down with the lamb, the cow and bear will feed,
their young will play together; a little child will lead, a little child will lead.
In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
In the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace.
The leopard and goat will graze, the lion will feed on straw.
They will war no more, they will war no more; a child will lead them all,
will lead them all.
In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
In the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace,
Creation will be at peace.
This morning, Wren woke with the tune Holy Manna in her head. She was walking around singing it, so we thought this must be the hymn of comfort today! Maybe you know this tune as Brethren We Have Met to Worship (or Christian we have met to worship). Since we celebrated Pentecost tonight, I think that this tune was put on Wren’s heart. It reminds us how blessed we are to be part of a community of believers who “Love God, Love Others, and Love Life.” Our church is an amazing community! Even though we have been apart for so long, it doesn’t feel that way. I know our family looks forward to our worship each Saturday (even a zoom worship). We are really blessed by this community! Today, the adults who serve in the children’s ministry drove to every rising 6th-grader’s home to celebrate them with a car parade. Since I serve in children’s ministry, and I am also a mom of a rising 6th-grader, I was doubly blessed!! Thank you Church of the Savior! We are blessed to journey with each of you, and I am so thankful my child is surrounded by such loving Christian mentors!
Wren has been a Lowell Eagle for 6 years, and today was her last day. I can’t believe she will be starting middle school next year! Here she is on her first day as a Lowell Eagle:
Kindergarten
And here is she is on her last day… So strange that it’s at home…
Last day of school
We did go take some photos with the sign, but it was bittersweet not being able to finish as we expected. I do realize that this is not a unique experience, and we lament with our friends (and my students) who missed graduations and other bigger moments in their lives!
Middle School, here she comes!Had to include the “mask” portrait
Yesterday was “virtual Discovery Day” so we decided to go out and check on the baby Eagle. It’s really growing (just like my Eagle). Here are some more pictures so you can see how it’s growing!
Eaglet spreading wings
Since we were thinking a lot about Eagles, we thought this Hymn of Comfort would be appropriate: And He Will Lift You Up on Eagle’s Wings.
I’m super proud of this amazingly kind, creative and clever kid!!! She’s going to be an awesome middle-schooler!!!
First Day at LowellWren’s Quarantine Self-portrait
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