We gathered around a table filled with bells and music stands. I sat with Judy, a resident of Yankee Hill Village, who wore a mocha-colored top bedazzled with the word, “Cappuccino” in script lettering. I asked jokingly if she was Italian. ‘Yes, I am!” she replied, laughing. We became fast friends, sitting together on Monday mornings this summer as Yankee Hill residents and Southwood members rang bells, and learned about music and about each other.
Each week, Bridget Hill, our director, posed questions that we talked about together; “Where did we grow up?” “What is a favorite family memory?” We shared stories, laughed together, learned together, and looked forward to seeing each other each week. Bridget also shared music fundamentals and invited us to try them out – basics of directing, rhythm, and notes. It was great fun watching all of us attempting to direct! Playing was as easy as ringing our bell each time a circled note appeared on our music sheets - no reading of music required. After playing each hymn a couple of times, we sang along. The music was beautiful! The time flew.
One of my favorite memories is that of playing “Amazing Grace”, often to close our sessions. Each time, Judy beamed and said, “I just love this hymn. It’s my favorite”. Her joy was the perfect exclamation point to our time together.
Music creates community. That’s been my experience from my earliest days of singing four-part harmonies in our little country church all the way through years of singing and experiencing all of the music at Southwood. I can’t wait to ring bells and renew the community and friendships at Yankee Hill this fall. We’d love to have you join us!
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