TIME OF DISCOVERY
It is a rare occasion in life when you realize you have made a discovery. You wonder what you might do with your new-found knowledge. Should you hold fast to it as your very own, or should you share it with others - with everyone. I believe the later view is the proper one, because it reflects more on the genuine quality of your find. Few original finders of anything worthwhile, it appears, truly understood what it was they had come upon. It is only as others developed his or her concept, that it becomes truly a manifest blessing for Mankind.
I had such an innovative experience this Christmas Eve.
On that chilly night of December 24, 2003, That evening I chanced upon on the most impressive Christmas service I have ever attended. It would seem that such a special occurrence would have happened in some far-off, exotic locale, but it was in our home church. I have, due partly to illness, been an occasional member for a year or more, but something urged me to attend the traditional Christmas Eve service this year.
It did not strike me as unusual that I found a new realization of the simple fact that the small church has been singularly blessed with a wealth of creative talents in its staff and membership . I find the choirs to be exceptionally mature by usual standards of attainment and by their intense response to skilled, vibrant direction.
The Bell Choir is directed by Mary Wilson and her efforts have brought about a group using bells and judicious use of related percussion instruments to produce varied repository which far exceeds that of the usual bell-clanging group They do not tip-toe through a routine service timidly, with special restraint and softness. They assert themselves audio ably as a vibrant part of the worship theme.
Now, for the three-fold discovery.
The printed program included a titled: “Special Music - ' At The Manger ' arr. by. Christopher Bono. Sonja Dillard, Violin”, Those and the Bell Choir.
The discovery is containing in those two lines. Both violinist Sonja Dillard, a visitor for the evening , and the Christopher Bono Choir dire tor and organist of the church, deserve special acclaim and recognition in the music world for their work. Not only did Christopher Bono arrange the violin and piano as credited in the but he also written the piece itself “especially for this occasion” as the minister of the church, Rev .Mark Stanley announced verbally.
Others heard them as well. I was not alone, but I felt at that moment that something should be done to let the rest of the musical world know about Christopher Bono, composer, organist and choir director and about Sonja Dillard, violinist and the work they played this past Christmas Eve called “At The Manger.” The world needs to share in this wealth of talent as well as the Mary Wilson's Bell Choir.
A survey or about a year ago of TOPIC reported it as being read in eight different nations around the but I have no idea what the present circulation might be today. Anyone who wishes to do so, may drop an e-mail comment to TOPIC at the prime page mail slot.
Do you know of any talented persons in your community who might be in widespread need of praise and acclaim.
A.L.M. December 25, 2003 [c571wds]
