Recipe for Extraordinary

It wasn’t just another ordinary Sunday afternoon at Bob Carr. It was a magical journey. 

A journey taken by the vastly eclectic audience – music lovers, proud parents and grandparents, somewhat bored younger siblings, teachers, mentors and friends. The 'no videos and flash photography' announcement blatantly disregarded - but, no one seemed to mind.This was as much a family gathering as a cultural event of the season. 

It was also a  Hobbit-like, hair-raising, nerve-wrecking, sometimes delightful sometimes dreadful journey taken by countless volunteers scurrying around the back-stage making sure the pizza is served to the hungry players, the shoelaces are tied and the sheets of music are in order amidst all the creative crazy chaos reigning behind the curtain.

Lastly, it was a spell-binding journey taken by every boy and girl, teenager and adult sitting, standing, jumping, hopping, swinging their little legs too short for the ‘big’ chair – 200+ radiant faces performing together, glowing in the limelight of the reputable stage.

The MAYSFEST, the 2012-2013 season finale concert presented by Jonathan May Foundations was a distilled to perfection time capsule – filled with music, of course, wonderfully diverse music, as versatile as the age and the skill level of each player on that stage. But it went beyond music.  For one could also hear the emotion bubbling up, and passion, tender nuances of grief and loss, courage and hope, and the irrepressible power of joy to take us beyond ourselves and into the glorious world we often forget exists.  

Inside this time capsule – strong and vibrant legacy of the past… for everything beautiful, noble and good we get to taste and enjoy today is deeply rooted into the rich soil of the days, years and centuries past. The classic legacies of Mozart and Verdi sharing the stage with Hot Cross Buns and Chicken in the Country. Late Jonathan May certainly on everyone’s mind. The icing on this multi-layered cake? The grand finale of the world premier of Mondo Rondo by Daniel May.

Did you feel the vibrations? Our son asked after the concert.

We did, indeed!

Inside this time capsule – the dazzling hope for the future…For no one is too young or unskilled to be welcomed and included, loved and nurtured.  We all had to start somewhere. We all miss a note, a beat or even an entire measure sometimes.  But, when we listen beyond the audible, when we listen to the future we will see and hear those imperfections as the opportunities to care for, invest in and even sacrifice knowing the future will eventually reveal the rewards.

Inside this capsule – in the present moment, a credit due is a credit graciously given to each and every one, with the humble awareness that none of us could do it on our own - not even Emily, Mrs. May and Mr. Miller, aMAYsing and capable as they are.  The sum total of each person’s gift contributed – the talent, the time, the treasure – far exceeds the reach of any individual. And we are suddenly struck with awe at the tremendous privilege God has granted to all of us to participate,  whether our part is big or small.

Mix it all together and you get an unforgettable dream-come-true, a - not a moment but a - movement of life-changing transformation – one child, one family, one community… one note at a time.