This has been a week in which my life was enriched by a musical experience. That isn’t unusual since I am a musician, but I had the privilege of hearing the Tampa Bay Symphony play their last concert of the year. They were joined by Jeffrey Multer, Concert Master of the Florida Orchestra. He played Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Opus 35. I wish you had been there, as it was a superb performance by Mr. Multer and the symphony members. That performance brought to mind the quote that is the title of this post. In doing a search for its origins, I found these quotes, all by Martin Luther. The title of this post is also attributed to him.
“I wish to see all arts, principally music in the service of Him
who gave and created them. I would not for all the world
forego my humble share of music. Singers are never sorrowful,
but are merry, and smile through their troubles in song.”
“Music makes people kinder, gentler, more staid and reasonable.
I am strongly persuaded that after theology there is no art that
can be placed on a level with music; for besides theology
music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of the heart.” -Martin Luther
It’s In The Genes
I’ve been surrounded by music and musicians all of my life. You could accurately say that music is in my genes as my ancestors were professional musicians. My first cousin, eight times removed, Nicholas Lanier the Younger, was appointed Master of the King’s Music in the court of James I of England. He came from a long line of musicians, instrument makers, artists, and even writers. I guess I got a double dose of that gene as both of my parents are related to this Lanier line. Yes, that would make my parents my cousins. Odd to think about, but when you get into genealogy, nothing surprises you, believe me. Here’s a link to a portrait of Nicholas Lanier.
The church of my childhood, Lafayette Street Methodist Church in Dothan, Alabama, is etched into my memory. The old sanctuary is long gone, but I can still see it with the curved arrangement of pews made of dark oak. Of course, since I was a wee one, it seemed enormous. It was there, and in my Granny’s church, Taylor Methodist, out in the country near Dothan, that I learned to love music and singing.
My sister and I sang in both of these churches from the time she was ten and I was three. It seems like a life-time ago, and yet, it was just yesterday. Bobbie, my sister, sang alto and taught me the melody and the words. I was so little that I had to stand in a chair beside Sis. Our standards were “Whispering Hope”, “Not My Will”, and “Farther Along”. I have no clue how I managed to do this at so tender an age. As I said, it was in my genes.
As I grew older, the music became much more personal to me and I began to have very discerning opinions about what I thought was good music. We were blessed at Lafayette Street church to have Terry Seymour as our music minister. He allowed me to sit in on rehearsals and sing with the youth choir. It was here that I learned songs like “Into My Heart” and “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”, today still two of my favorites. They ended every service with “Don’t Go Away Without Jesus.”
By the time I entered high school, my family had moved to Andalusia, Alabama, where I once again was fortunate to have not only great high school teachers, Marilyn Jones and Charles Hinson, but also gifted music ministers in our church, First Methodist. Albert and Sheila Hunt were a married couple who had great influence on me. Mrs. Hunt became my first private voice teacher.
Gospel Trio
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| Singing with Charles and Marie Hinson, Debbie in Middle |
Charles Hinson, mentioned above, became my high school choral director when Miss Jones left to pursue her doctorate degree in music.
Charles, his wife Marie, and I formed a quick bond and began singing together as a Gospel trio. Marie was my sister’s age and Mama took this young couple beneath her wings and made them like her own. They were frequently in our home for meals and, of course, the singing that always followed. Joining us on many occasions were my algebra teacher, Clayton Thomas, who later married Marie’s sister, Francis, and the high school guidance counselor, Curtis Thomason. I wish I had a recording of us singing, but cell phones and Youtube didn’t exist in those days.
After high school, I went to Birmingham-Southern College where I earned two degrees in music. Concert Choir was where I learned what truly great music was supposed to sound like. I was honored to be a soprano soloist under the direction of Dr. Hugh Thomas.
A Church Home, IPC
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| View of Choir Loft, IPC, Birmingham,AL |
During my college years, I sang in a few church choirs in Birmingham, but I found my home in the choir of Independent Presbyterian Church under the direction of Choirmaster and Organist, Joseph W. Schreiber. After my marriage to Jim, he too, became a member of this exceptional group of dedicated singers. To say that I am, to this day, humbled to have been a soprano soloist in this choir would be an understatement of the highest order. Our eleven years singing with this group number among the happiest times of our married life.
We will never forget the excellent music we were a part of, or the life-long friendships formed there. Though we numbered about forty-five, our hearts beat as one. In May of 2012, choir members, past and present, came together one last time for the dedication of the Joseph W. Schreiber Memorial Organ, a deserving tribute to our beloved leader.
Now that I am older, neither my voice nor my ears are what they used to be. I no longer sing other than in the congregation.
Coda
God blessed us with musically talented children. All of them sing beautifully. Three of them are bassoonists. Our second son, Christopher, is a professional bassoonist/contrabassoonist in the Tampa Bay Symphony. I thank God every day of my life for the many and varied musical gifts He has bestowed upon me and my family. Indeed, music is a fair and glorious gift of God.
By Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams 
The Conversation
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