Klarinet Archive - Posting 000423.txt from 2001/09

From: Mitch Bassman <mbassman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Peace
Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 17:01:25 -0400

It's sad to read the disagreements on this Klarinet mailing this about how
we can express our feelings about the tragic attack on the United States of
America and the murder of so many innocent people. This is a time for all
of us to come together -- in prayer if that is your wish or at least in
support. I'm especially struck by the contrast between the tone here and
the much more supportive tone on the flute mailing list where there has
been a vast outpouring of concern from all over the world for yesterday's
tragedy.

While I totally agree with and support Fred Stern's request for
sensitivities to religious differences, and I'm often the first to point
out to friends and acquaintances (though not on this mailing list) the same
type of offense to which he reacted, I'm not willing to start a "religious
war" here. I used the quotation marks in support of someone else who
mentioned that what happened yesterday what not a religious act. It was
(now with almost clear evidence) the act of a fanatic. No major religion
sanctions what happened in the USA yesterday.

I offer in an act of (religious) unity (with an acknowledgement that some
of the people on this list are certainly agnostics or atheists, and that's
OK with me) a slightly modified version of what I sent earlier today as a
contribution to a civilized outpouring on the flute list.

I live and work (my dratted non-musical day job) in the Washington, DC,
area; I'm fine -- physically. When I first heard the news as it unfolded
yesterday at about 9:00 AM Eastern Time, my immediate thoughts were of my
son (the musician) and my daughter (the actress/singer/dancer) who both
live on the upper west side of Manhattan in New York City. I couldn't get
through to either of them by telephone because all circuits were busy. I
called my wife who finally reached our daughter about an hour later. Our
daughter had reached our son. Both are fine.

Music has awesome soothing and healing powers. Among my other musical
activities, I am the musical director of the choir at my synagogue. Most of
you will understand that we have been busy preparing for the musical
portion of our High Holiday services, which begin early next week with the
Jewish New Year. For this Friday evening's regular Sabbath service, my
choir will be adding some special musical prayers for peace and in
remembrance of those who lost their lives in the senseless terrorist attacks.

Last night, in response to the tragic events of the day, I and many other
members of my (Conservative Jewish) congregation attended a special prayer
service held at a nearby Presbyterian church with which our congregation
has a special relationship. The theme was peace and healing. Our rabbi
along with the Presbyterian minister led prayers for peace. Two members of
the church played several selections beautifully on flute and piano.
Gorgeous flute tone and control. Very sensitive performances. The entire
room was moved.

To close the service, I had been asked to sound the shofar -- the ram's
horn used ceremonially during the Jewish New Year service. This ancient
instrument has unique powers to evoke strong emotions in people. Those of
you who have heard it -- even just once each year -- will surely agree. As
I blew the special combinations of sounds in response to the rabbi's calls,
I sensed an eerie change in the room, for most of those present (the
Presbyterians and the Moslems who had also been invited) were most likely
experiencing the sound of a shofar for the first time. Many of those people
came up to me afterwards to tell me how effective the shofar had been. I
felt a great honor to have been able to participate.

When the service had ended, I went over to talk with the flutist and
pianist, both of whom I had worked with in the past, as our two
congregation have held joint Thanksgiving services every year for the past
18 years. Naturally, we exchanged compliments and noted how much the
musical sounds contributed to the feeling of peace. Tonight I'll sound the
shofar again -- if only for my own well being -- and then I think I'll
spend some time playing both the flute and the clarinet. There's room for a
lot of music in this world.

My heart goes out to those of you who have lost friends and loved ones as a
result of this cowardly act.

Peace,
Mitch Bassman
Burke, Virginia, USA
(a suburb of Washington DC near the Pentagon)

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