Finding Community

Something that I enjoyed while I was student teaching was being able to participate with the Waldorf band. While I was in Guyana I realized how much value I found in being in a performing ensemble. I missed it greatly. I love being a part of something where everyone enjoys doing the same thing, in this case it is creating music. It is one thing to be creating music with my students, but it is totally different when you are put into a community of people who are at, or near, the same level musically as you are.

Since I arrived in Kuwait I have felt a little lost. It is not the first time that I have come to a new country, but I really am on my own here. In Guyana there were three of us together who were lost. Emily, gave me the idea to look into a performance organization Staged in Kuwait. They have a group called SING which is a community choir. When Emily suggested I look into the group they were well on their way to completing their preparations for their Winter concert. I signed up to join them for the spring.

After returning to Kuwait from my trip back to the States I was able to join SING at their first rehearsal for the season. Let me say, I am absolutely in love with the group! After the first rehearsal I felt like this was a group I belonged to. My spirits were lifted, and I had felt the best that I have felt in my time in Kuwait. Mondays have quickly become my favorite day of the week (remember my work week starts on Sunday, so for most of you reading this think Tuesday for you). I get a good walk in as well as some me time on the bus going to and from rehearsal and get to sing some great music.

When I was a young college student at Wartburg College I was in the WCCB under the direction of Dr. Craig Hancock (Doc). Before rehearsals every day we would have a devo and get words of wisdom from a band member or from Doc. One day, Doc gave us a little devo that has stuck with me since that day. He was talking about why we are playing our instruments and creating music together. The thing that he said that stuck out to me was, “Everyday, in practice and in performance, think about who you are playing for. It can be for yourself, someone you love, or even someone you don’t know but might need encouragement.” That became a motto to me at every rehearsal and performance I have been a part of since. “Play for someone you love.” Well, lately I have had a long list of people that I have been singing for. Many of you in my life have been struggling with different things. I have been thinking of all of you while I am singing, and I hope you can feel love coming your way from the other side of the world. You could be living in my home, working at the duck pond, or just friends/acquaintances on Facebook, it doesn’t matter, I am singing for you.

I’m really glad that Emily suggested I look into this group. We will have a concert at the end of March that I am excited for already and we have only had two rehearsals. I hope that all of you have something in your life that brings you joy on a regular basis. It can really change your outlook on life/situations you are in.