Working on Ending 2020 on a high Note

-Stathia Orwig

It's no secret that this year has been a year we don't ever want to return to. 2021 HAS to be better, right? But, it's got me thinking a bit these past few weeks as I've been working on our Winter Un-Recital Recital. I want to end 2020 on a high note! 

I've been working on holiday pieces with most all of my students. I say every year that the best part of playing piano is being able to play holiday music! It's the one time a year that I personally make time to sit down and just play the piano. It fills my home with beautiful music, it makes me happy, and it never fails that I sing along while playing! This year, as I'm teaching my students their holiday piece(s), it feels different. It feels different because so much has been taken away from us.

Last week, while watching the CMA Awards, Eric Church accepted his award and really spoke to so many of us:“This award this year, at least for me, has been about the loss of this year. Loss of life, loss of playing shows, loss of freedom, loss of kids being in school. You know what the win is? The win is we were all here tonight together in person, live, not on zoom,” he went on. “It’s going to be music that brings us out of this. That is the one thing that is going to save the entire world. Politicians are about division, music is about unity. And I promise you, it’s going to take everyone in this room to unite.”

I think he's very right. The other day, as I was teaching a preschool music class, I stopped and just watched the kids singing, smiling, and happy without a care in the world during a world-wide pandemic(!). This is proof that there is still so much happiness out there (especially in our children) and that music can bring a smile to anyone's face. It brings us together all year long, but especially in the holiday season.

This year, more than ever, I am thankful for what I have. I want to enjoy the little things like playing Christmas carols, teaching them, spreading my love of them to my students. I think all of the teachers are feeling this right now. Normally, this is a stressful time for us as we pick pieces, memorize, and spread all of the carols out among recitals. But, we have thrown those rules out the window and it is so gratifying to say "Yes! Let's learn another carol!" even if 5 other students are playing the same one. 

As we enter this holiday season, take time to listen to music! Fill your hearts with family and music because it's the one thing that cannot be taken away. Let's really end this 2020 year on a high note!