You're Invited

A few years ago I decided I wanted to learn how to play the violin. It was the first time in my married life when all my children were in school and I had a few hours to myself.

When I was growing up I always wanted to play the violin in the school orchestra but when I told my mother she said, "Only rich kids can do that." So I sang in the choir instead. But I always watched the students with their black cases and longed for the chance to try.

In college I worked at the music library where music major students would ask me to put on a particular classical piece assigned by their teachers. Then they would listen to the musical selection on a channel with headphones. When things got slow at the music booth I would listen to the pieces along with the students. I had never been exposed to such masterpieces. I discovered one particular piece that literally moved me to tears every single time I listened. The piece was titled "Adagio for Strings" - written my Samuel Barber. I used to dream about how it would feel to play in an orchestra that could make music like that.

Before long I got married and immediately got busy raising ten children. I used to put on records and tapes and listen while I changed diapers and chased toddlers around the house. I wanted my children to share my love for music so I figured out a way to pay for piano lessons for all ten children by writing newspaper columns. Then there were the teenage years when my music had to compete with the loud base booming beat coming from my son's basement bedrooms.

I thought the rest of my life would be devoted to inspiring my children to enjoy quality music. I didn't know I'd ever get a second chance. Who ever heard of a fifty-two year old homemaker learning to play the violin?

I've learned it's never to late to follow your heart.

Why am I telling you all this? Because I will be playing in a concert with an orchestra on Thursday. We will be playing some of the music I used to put on for the music major students when I was in college.

There will be moments during our performance when I know my eyes will water. Music always moves me like that. Yet the emotion will be for other reasons as well. I'm playing a violin in an orchestra - a privilege I never thought I'd have and I can't get over the absolute thrill of it all.

So I'm inviting you to my concert at 7:00 p.m. at 4000 N. Foothill Drive in Provo on Thursday April 16th. I'm also inviting you to try something you always wanted to do. It's never too late to follow your heart and see where it leads.