Klarinet Archive - Posting 000228.txt from 1996/01

From: Helen Spielman <hbs@-----.EDU>
Subj: Playing Music as a Gift (fwd)
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 1996 08:19:03 -0500

Dear Musicians,
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I write a regular column for _Music for the Love Of It,_ a national=20
newsletter for adult amateur musicians. I=D5m getting ready to write my=20
article for the April issue, and would like to ask for your help. =20
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This article will be about how we can use our ability to make music to=20
give a gift to someone else. I=D5d be interested to know whether you have=
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ever done this. Of course,
*whenever* we make music, it=D5s a gift to whomever hears us, but I=D5m=20
talking about=20
something that you consciously set out to be a specific gift. For=20
example, have you played your instrument or sung for someone who was ill,=
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or in the hospital, or dying? Have you played your instrument or sang a=20
solo to wish someone a happy birthday or anniversary or congratulations=20
for an achievement or farewell or Merry Christmas? Have you given a=20
musical gift to your co-workers or to participants of a workshop you=20
attended or to another kind of group? Have you played at a party or=20
wedding or funeral? Have you used your music to play a joke on someone? =
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Your story could be serious or humorous, and even if you think your=20
experience is too insignificant or too mundane, I=D5d still like to hear=20
about it, because sometimes the smallest examples are the most touching=20
and the ones that people can most easily relate to.
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Be sure and let me know whether you want me to use your real name or=20
whether you@-----.=20
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Because I=D5m working with a deadline, I=D5ll need to hear from you by the=
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end of January. I=D5d be grateful for anything you can share with me on=
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this topic.
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If you want to receive the article once it=D5s published, send me your=20
snail mail mailing address and I@-----.
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Please post this letter to other mailing lists or newsgroups that are for=
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music makers.
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Thanks, and I wish you many musical blessings for 1996!
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Helen
hbs@-----.edu