I did the right thing

[kayre]

Church is so FUN now.

This morning I had a good warmup, and then walked back to meet the tech team for the day. Then Pastor asked if I could lead a hymn that he had planned to do himself (on guitar-- he's good). I said yes, and ran through it on piano. I had planned to do another hymn on piano; impulsively, I asked a pianist if she'd join me on piano for that hymn if I played organ. She was delighted, and it went beautifully.

Then during prayer concerns it came out that Pastor's daughter turns 16 this week. I was watching Pastor for a signal, but when someone said "can we sing to her?" I hit the D7 chord and off we went. (Playing Happy Birthday without warning is a secret job requirement for church musicians.) Happy Birthday can be a can of worms in churches-- do we sing it nearly every week? But there are reasons why it was especially appropriate today, and I'm sure my impulse was right.

Afterwards I worked briefly with a soloist for next week. She's doing a hoary old favorite that I don't love, but she's good and easy to work with. I also spent some time looking at music with the handbell director. I've really missed working with other musicians!

Comments

[sine_nomine]

Hip hip hooray!

I am beyond thrilled for you (and them!).

[amaebi]

Synergy! It's a marvel!

And while boundaries are important and in some cases vital life-preservers, one reason they don't top my priority list is that tight ones, rigid ones, can fend off transformation-by-community-- for ill or for good.

[bethynyc]

I'm so glad this worked out for you! And I love that you can just play the chord and off we go into Happy Birthday!

[gingicat]

You sound happy, even joyful! I'm very pleased on your behalf!

[gingicat]

(Also my brain just realized that a major 7th chord also starts off the titular Hamilton song, possibly also a D7.)

[kayre]

"All For the Best" from Godspell also begins with an arpeggiated major 7th. It's an effective device from vaudeville days, works for any upbeat song that begins on the 5th tone of the scale.

[ranunculus]

I'm really glad this is working for you. I know new relationships are often a bit giddy in the beginning and then settle down, but this seems like a very good beginning.

[kayre]

Yes, definitely a honeymoon phase, but after a year of "staying together for the kids" I'll take it! :D

[hitchhiker]

wonderful :)

[cellio]

It is so nice to see you happy at church! This is wonderful.

[otherbill]

Yay! I am very happy to read this (even if I tend to be a few days late — I only check DW once or twice a week).