The
moment of truth finally arrived. Fifteen
or so ragtag, flowered shirt and lei wearing novices, who just eight short
weeks ago were all thumbs and tin ears, gathered into a room with family and
friends watching to unleash a barrage of musical talent that seemed destined to
cause amazement – nay, sheer mystification – at the magical transformation that
had taken place. These fifty-plus-ers
had worked for eight long weeks to master the required twinkle-finger skills to
entertain the burgeoning roomful of fans.
Their hard work and their teacher’s massive displays of patience and laughter
in light of those previously clumsy fingers was about to bear musical
fruit. The tension was excruciating. The doors closed. The teacher rose to his podium. His introductions began. “These are the Ollie Ooks …” Yes.
An entire band of ukuleles. And
so it commenced.
From
the first strains of “He’s Got the Whole
World in His Hands” the audience was enthralled. Cameras flashed. Cell phones memorialized the moment. And what were the pieces of art? What a list.
What a hodgepodge of genre …
The Lion Sleeps
Tonight
Jambalaya (One of my
personal favorites)
This Land is Your
Land
Stand By Me
At
this point the audience was completely enthralled. But did the musicians continue in their
light-hearted vein. Oh, no. For the time for seriousness was at hand. The next piece was none other than that
Beethoven favorite, Ode to Joy. And when
the dust settled, not to be painted into any particular box, the group forged
ahead …
Hound
Dog (Yep. THAT Hound Dog. Elvis Presley. And I have to admit, I might have gotten a little
more into this one. So much so that I
might have shown some moves that Elvis would
have been proud of. Of course he
was probably already turning over in his grave along with Beethoven because of the
unbelievable quality imparted to their music). And then …
You Are My Sunshine
Jamaica Farewell
Octopus’s Garden (Yep. Ringo’s song)
Swing Low, Sweet
Chariot
Take Me Out to the
Ball Game (Before
this one, I put on a baseball cap on one side of the room and another guy put
on a rival cap at the other and we glared at each other. Totally spur of the moment on both of our
parts)
La Bamba
Marianne
The Rainbow
Connection (Ah,
Kermit)
All My Loving (Go Beatles)
So
was the recital/concert a success? Let
me just say this … Before we even left the room accolades (and videos) were
being posted on FaceBook. Check for
yourself …
Ephesians
1:17 says, “I keep asking that the God of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom
and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
Father,
thank you for the fun of playing a silly little instrument that brings joy to
people just by looking at it. Amen.
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