Klarinet Archive - Posting 000424.txt from 2001/09

From: Audrey Travis <vsofan@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Peace
Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 17:34:07 -0400

Thank you. Wonderful and moving. My soul is touched by your words as much as it
is often touched spiritually by beautiful music.

My best to you, Mitch.

Audrey

Mitch Bassman wrote:

> 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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