I consider it a great blessing that both Kayleigh and Everett have had the opportunity to learn about and participate in singing beautiful spiritual music through our school system. Everett had a special opportunity this year to sing with the Gwinnett County Honor Chorus. This was a choice experience for him.
A highlight of this year's concert was hearing the Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde. One of their selections was The Butterfly arranged by Charles Davidson based on the children's poem, I Never Saw Another Butterfly:
The last, the very last,
So richly, brightly, dazzling yellow.
Perhaps if the sun's tears would sing
against a white stone...
Such, such a yellow
Is carried lightly 'way up high
It went away, I'm sure because it wished to
kiss the world good-bye.
For seven weeks I've lived in here,
Penned up inside this ghetto.
But I have found what I love here.
The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut branches in the court.
Only I never saw another butterfly
That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don't live in here,
in the ghetto.
~Pavel Friedman
Perhaps if the sun's tears would sing
against a white stone...
Such, such a yellow
Is carried lightly 'way up high
It went away, I'm sure because it wished to
kiss the world good-bye.
For seven weeks I've lived in here,
Penned up inside this ghetto.
But I have found what I love here.
The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut branches in the court.
Only I never saw another butterfly
That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don't live in here,
in the ghetto.
~Pavel Friedman
Pavel Friedman was born in Prague on January 7, 1921. He was transported to the Terezin concentration camp in 1942. He was later transported to Auschwitz where he died on September 29, 1944. I Never Saw Another Butterfly is a collection of poems written by some of the children who lived there. (I consider him to be an adult). Most of the young authors died before the camp was liberated at the end of WWII.
I cannot describe in words the impact this music had on me.
The Honor Chorus sang spiritual music such as No Time, Allunde Alluia, a Swahili spiritual, All for Love of One, and a medley of songs based on American Folk Dances. Some of the children performed the different dances.
It was amazing.
Everett was excited to report that he was interviewed by the Gwinnett County School's station. He is a man of few words but managed to tell them he "really enjoyed singing in the chorus."
Hopefully, we will see the interview when the concert is aired next month.
A view of about half of the chorus.
We were delighted to have Grandma and Grandpa join us for this special occasion.
Papa spent the entire concert taking pictures of Everett. I will have to post more pictures of all of us later.
Everett said he felt really special that Mommom and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa could attend his concert!
2 comments:
I am truly proud of Everett; I think he is so handsome and such a special boy. I am impressed that he tried something new and different and had a very positive experience. That's a great example for the rest of us! Love you, Everett!
I can see now why you were so touched by the concert. What a wonderful experience, a lovely setting. Thanks for sharing and I am so glad your kiddos are sharing their talents!
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