cover your ears

An open letter to my co-worker....

Dear M

I feel an apology is in order here. It's been a long week and I realize I am partially responsible. I've seen that familiar wince on your face a few times since I started my new project with the kids, and I know you are being as patient as you can be, Please bear with me, with all of us.

You see, I honestly forget that there are people who think of music and singing as noise. I've never been one of those people. I sang all the time when I was little, heck, I sing all the time now. Music is this huge part of my life, and without it, without the words and music and instruments and songs I love, I would probably lose my mind.

My mom doesn't get music either. She certainly doesn't understand why anyone would want to learn an instrument. She's as tone deaf as they come - when I was in high school and practicing diligently at the piano she would walk into the living room and start talking away to me...and I would keep going until she looked at me with an irritated little frown and said "Please, could you just stop that for a few minutes?"

But it's been a couple of decades since I've lived at home, and I've spent most of that time singing and playing to my heart's content.

I was a little bit shocked the other day when you told me that you didn't like singing. Who doesn't like singing?(my BIL exempted because he has synaesthesia, and sees colours when music is playing). You said, "Some people are singing people, and some people aren't. You're a singing person, and I'm not." I was shocked, but it all suddenly made sense...the sidelong glances you give me when I spontaneously burst into song while standing at the top of the snow hill, while the kids are busy digging forts and sledding. I don't need a reason to sing. I don't need a special occasion. My instrument is always present.

I sing less that I've ever done on the job. I long to go back to toddler care, where I can sing all day long and the little people just fall over themselves with joy whenever they hear a song.

So I have a very tiny bit of regret when I think about what I've unleashed upon you in the past week. I've been scheming for a long time, trying to find ways to bring more music into the program, We have talented kids, who have parents who pay for hockey and soccer, but who have less time, and less money for private music lessons. And any music taught in school is abysmal at best.

So I went out and bought a dozen of these

and started a music club at the after-school program. It has been a roaring success - I've had to buy more recorders, and the book room is filled with the sounds of diligent practice.

I've done this before. Twice before, in fact, I've volunteered my time in school to teach recorder to young kids who had no other musical education or exposure. It was an amazing success....and it will be this time as well. Trust me.

Of course, on the first day, I only taught them two notes and a basic rhythm. It does get a bit much, even for me.

But their faces! I love to watch them when they sit down to play, and I love knowing that they are learning so much, all because of a cheap instrument that I picked up at the dollar store. They play a bit sharp, but there are tonal differences, and for now, that's all that matters. It's accessible for everyone.

I promise that tomorrow I will teach them a  third note, and a song. It will open up a whole new world for them. I understand that it's been hard on you, and I thank you for not being negative about my pet project.

But I'm not sorry. Just cover your ears for now, and they'll all sound like pros within a month!