Dear friends,

A strength of who we are as an ensemble is in our diversity with regards to age and walks of life. We are made up of college students, young professionals, old professionals, the retired, and the elderly. Some of us have recently dealt with serious illness, surgery, loss of a spouse, and even loss of a child. I have not shared with you until now but my wife just had cancer surgery within the last three weeks. Whether we are dealing with simple daily stress or serious illness, we bring our pain to rehearsal on Thursday nights to engage in a healing process. For one hour and forty five minutes we put our pain on hold and embrace the joy of music. Socialization is the number one factor in longevity (per 80 year Harvard study). Some of you have complained to me recently about others making silly comments during rehearsal and/or put downs of other players, or the director. Think about how this negativity affects those seeking healing. Going forward, let’s all strive to be healers–to encourage, to bolster, to hold up everyone with the highest regards and only speak words of healing on Thursday nights. I have done some teasing from the podium to lighten the mood at times, but I’m going to forego that in the future. Let’s make everyone feel respected and valued for who they are and what they offer to the Lynchburg Pops Community Band

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs

Love,
Jim