106 Comments
Jun 5, 2022·edited Jun 5, 2022

Thank you for the energy and passion of these three performances. The Vivaldi piece was the music used for graduation at the girls' school where I taught. Although beautiful in itself, the music gained electricity from the skill and passion inbued by the students at Goede Hoop School. If only the peoples and nations of our world could demonstrated the supreme level of cooperation exhibited by these students. Then came the genius of Sietzen. Wow.

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Wow! Thank you for a bright piece of information. Delightful watching as well as listening.

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Wonderful! The talent and sheer joy exhibited by these girls warms the heart and soul.

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Thank you for allowing us to see and hear these beautiful, joyful and wholesome performances. Adds beauty to our day.

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Exactly what my spirit needed. Thank you so much.

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Conspiracy of Silenced Love

Where are my words of Comfort, Hope, Ease, Acceptance, Peace?

Where are our words of Comfort, Hope, Ease, Acceptance, Peace?

Where’s everyone’s words of Comfort, Hope, Ease, Acceptance, Peace?

Here Rage, Ire, Fear, Fatigue boil and bubble

Here Righteous Anger Flames and Flares

Here the rights and wrongs take sides, divide, us against them.

Yet, Encouraging Sounds don’t cost more

We Cannot Afford to Look Long away, but

‘Ere you don't have something good to say, don't say anything.

As Parents, Upholders, Friends, Family… are gone forever.

At this senseless onslaught… it’s all too much

As word waves of emotion Swirl, Pitch, Undulate, Riot, are Never quiet

Can we wring ourselves out

Can anything break the logjam of inaction

Can we try fostering optimism

Even care about those different than us

Even care for those lost in hopelessness

Even care for and about the shooters

Place both hands on the faces of a photo of each child

Pass gun laws?

Talk is cheap

Restraint is a loving act.

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It has always been stated that a well rounded student needed arts - music or art itself. However educators have always preferred to take those funds & use them for football & not arts. My daughter was in orchestra & cellos were damaged. I am a single mom and at that time I had to come up with $3,000 for USED cello for her. Her teacher tried all he could to get good instruments & some were donated. But football team never lacked for new uniforms or equipment.

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It lifted my spirits. Music is healing. More of this please!

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Pure Joy Thank you

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As I shy away from reading your Smile for a Saturday posts each week, I finally succumb to the persistent call from Steady, "Resistance is futile," and am better for it. A thousand thanks!

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Thanks for the terrific smile!!!

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That was wonderful! Thank you so much!

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May 29, 2022·edited May 29, 2022

I've been waiting for your moments of joy this week. Thank you! It really made me smile--much needed at this sad and frightening time for America--and our children.

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This was a wonderful breather. Thank you for sharing with us, as always.

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Aweseom! Thank you, Dan!

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When I was a kid I took dance lessons from a local teacher. Although she had a small school she had so much knowledge of so many types of dance….not just ballet and tap but Flamenco, Filipino, Spanish with castanets, etc. One piece we learned was called “Madre del Cordero” and it was played on a marimba. Very upbeat and exuberant music. Many years later while on vacation in Mexico, my hotel brought in local musicians and dancers through the course of the week. One night as I walked back from dinner, there was a marimba band. I stopped and listened and remembered my sweet days dancing with my friends through the years spent at our dance studio. The band ended their song and I tentatively asked in Spanish “saben Madre del Cordero?” Si, si, si they said and promptly played it for me and, for a moment, I was once again young and talented and dancing to the music, it was beautiful and ethereal. It is an exquisite instrument. Thank you Mr Rather for always making me think, remember and hope 💖

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