Tuning Up

We were so proud of our great grandson, first-year band student, Kaison Evans, at a recent concert. Being somewhat handicapped grandparents, we went early and thus got in on the tuning up. Two bands were playing that day, the sixth graders and the middle school jazz band. The band director was back and forth in the gym listening to individuals, giving instructions. The noise was discordant, almost earsplitting. But the cacophony of sound was sweet in a way, reminding me of years back when it was our son tuning up, or our granddaughter, this student’s mother.

The blaring horns, trombones making their sliding notes, clarinets and flutes hitting high notes, and tubas sounding like bull frogs–how could this raucous clash of notes ever be disciplined into a pleasing sound?

When there was a pause, we waved to our grandson who, thankfully, looked pleased to see us. He plays the baritone, a deepthroated instrument, a large one for his sixth grade size. He gave us a thumbs up and grinned.

When it was time, and when all parents and grandparents were seated on bleachers, the director called out a command. There was a rattle of chairs, and suddenly all those students who had been distracted and disorderly, now sat up straight and, at a lift of the director’s hands, brought instruments to lips. At his direction the music began. Yes, it was no longer raucous clashing sound, it was music. Though tunes had different names, we recognized “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “London Bridge is Falling Down,” “Hot Cross Buns” and others.

The tuning up had paid off.

Sometimes we all need to take time to tune up. Early in the morning while the birds are tuning up and going into concert mode, we can open our Bibles and pray to the Greatest Band Director to make us ready for the day’s music.

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. I Chronicles 13:8