Listening to the Classics

HEARING THE MUSIC of the great composers has long been considered a worthwhile leisure activity. Further, there really is considerable value to the human spirit in learning to appreciate classical music. This is true even for those individuals who generally prefer their music to be quite different - including lovers of country, rhythm and blues, rock, jazz, or pop. Is it possible for classical composers like Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, Haydn, and Brahms to literally "move us" deep within our souls? Yes!

For some people, listening to classical music is a good solution to a stressful day and one of the best ways to relax. Others find that classical music is just what it takes to rouse the spirit and energize the mind. In either case, most often listeners are "moved" internally.

Most people probably listen to their favorite music on the radio or on CDs. Some, no doubt, still play old records or cassette tapes. A growing trend - at least among the younger generation - is to listen to music on an Ipod. However, especially in regard to classical music, the very best way to enjoy it is to hear it in a live performance. The same thing is often true with any other type of music.

A large choral group could be performing a concert. Perhaps an orchestra is featuring the works of Beethoven. Maybe a small ensemble is live and on stage as one of the programs offered by a Community Concert Association. In many locales, opportunities are provided for people to hear live performances of classical music - including those presented by individual performers. Such is the case along Florida's Emerald Coast.

For example, at noon on the first Wednesday of each month at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Walton Beach, listeners are treated to a tremendous hour of live classical music. It is performed by Dr. David Ott on a newly-renovated Zimmer pipe organ. The organ is a 15-rank instrument with 1013 pipes, two manuals, a full pedal board, and 25 stops. Dr. Ott is a musician with gifts and expertise far above the ordinary. In addition to being a talented organist, Dr. Ott is a composer and serves as conductor of the Philharmonic of Northwest Florida. In September 2010, a tour will feature Dr. Ott playing the historic organs of Europe.

My wife and I have not always proclaimed that classical music is our favorite type. However, we are both learning to appreciate it more than ever. We have been in the audience for David Ott's monthly organ performances in Fort Walton Beach, and we plan to continue this practice for the remainder of our time in northwest Florida. We have found that listening to the classics seems to brighten our days. And, we are convinced that hearing the pipes sound-out the music from the masters has become some of our best leisure experiences.

Opportunities for Helpfulness

OPPORTUNITIES for offering help to others are plentiful during our free time. But, most of us miss them. Even at times of leisure, many of us seem to have an "occupied mind." Perhaps we ought to develop more of an awareness and sensitivity to people around us who are in need. A good friend of mine has this special quality. He recently shared the following story.
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I WAS DRIVING home from work a few weeks ago about 5:00, stuck in traffic, and my car started to choke, sputter, and die. I barely managed to coast to the side of the road. I was thankful that I would not be blocking traffic, and that I had a somewhat warm spot to wait for a tow truck. The engine wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of a service station. It looked like she slipped and fell into a gas pump.

I went to see if she was okay. When I got to her, it looked more like she had been overcome by problems rather than the fact that she had fallen. She was a young woman who looked completely exhausted with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up. I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel. At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff, with 3 kids in the back (one in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying “I don't want my kids to see me crying.” We stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, “and you were praying?” That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person. I simply said, “He heard you, and He sent me.”

I took out my debit card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely. After it was full, I walked next door to a McDonald's and bought two big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she was leaving the city. Her husband left them two months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent on January 1. Finally, in desperation, she had called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet again. So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there. I gave her my gloves, a little hug, and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road.

As I was walking to my car, she said, “So, are you like an angel or something?” Her question caused my eyes to fill with tears. I simply said, “at this time of year angels are really busy, so God uses regular people."

It was so incredible to be a part of a miracle for someone else. And of course - you guessed it - when I got in my car again, it started right away and took me home with no problems. I did put it in the shop the next day; however, the mechanic didn’t find anything wrong.
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-- The story above was used with permission.