Sometimes we get so enmeshed in our lives that we can't see how blessed we are. It takes a moment of reflection--stepping outside of ourselves--to see what's really happening, and to appreciate what we have.
This past week, a former conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch, died. He had served as the conductor of the orchestra for 10 years. Because he only retired in 2003, there are musicians who performed under his baton who still play with the orchestra.
The crazy thing is that the husband of Mark's Philadelphia horn teacher is one of them. David Bilger has been the principal trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra for several years, and he had beautiful, poignant memories of studying with Maestro Sawallisch. Click here to read his words.
I guess I could call this three degrees of separation--knowing David Bilger through Mark--but I feel as close to him and his musical experiences as I do to my own. It sounds strange, but I feel this way about many of the people I know.
In fact, I am reminded again of how blessed my children are, knowing whom they know.
When I was looking for a new horn teacher for Mark several years ago, I was frustrated because the local university horn professor wouldn't take Mark as a student. I didn't know what else to do, but to look at a map and find the closest big cities. Cleveland was four hours away, Pittsburgh was three as were Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Because Philadelphia and Cleveland are known as two of the five greatest orchestras in the United States, it seemed wise to search these orchestras for a teacher. I looked at Philadelphia first, identified the first horn in the orchestra, and unbelievably, contacted her via Facebook! Thank goodness for my naivete, because if I knew then what I know now, I would never have done this!
While she couldn't take Mark as a student, she recommended the fourth horn in the orchestra, Angela Cordell. And thus began a wonderful journey....
Angela read pages and pages of emails I wrote her, convincing her that we were good prospects. Knowing her now, I know that these weren't necessary. She's a wonderfully organic person, and can easily recognize "good people". She was perfect for Mark.
As it happened, Angela was engaged to marry the principal trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra. When I would drop Mark off for his lessons, Mr. Bilger would be there, friendly and conversational. I was so happy to run into him.
When I was looking for string teachers for the girls, I went to Angela. She knew exactly what kind of people we Kennedys are, and I knew she could make a good match for us. Plus, she was a foot in the door for us. Her recommendation would go a long way, and I knew that if I was to look alone, it would be like shooting in the dark.
She gave us the names of a violinist and a violist, both of whom play in the orchestra. I never could have imagined what a blessing her help would be for my girls.
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Gloria's violin teacher is Amy Oshiro-Morales. I have written about the amazing person she is, both with an instrument in her hands and without. There have been times when Glo's lessons don't start for 15 or 20 minutes after they are supposed to, because I love to talk to Amy. She lives in a beautiful brownstone in downtown Philadelphia. This past year, she won the appointment to Assistant Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra. This is a HUGE appointment--for those who don't understand this, it means that she's the second best violinist in the Philadelphia Orchestra. And the Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the top five orchestras in the nation. Oh, and by the way, she's married to the principal clarinetist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Ricardo Morales.
While these people are amazing musicians, they are even better people. Ricardo is the most darling father to his daughter, Victoria. He picks her up, props her on his shoulder, grabs their cocker spaniel, Charlie, and heads out for a walk. When he sees us, he's always happy to stop and say "hi". I have heard Amy speaking Japanese to Victoria and have seen her teaching her how to bow to her elders.
Amy is more to us than just a teacher. In fact, just today she texted me that she had acquired free tickets for this Friday's orchestra performance and would I be interested in attending it? She would teach Glo before the performance if I could make arrangements with Johannah's teacher for the same time.
Johannah's teacher, Pam Fay, has been playing with one of the premier chamber groups in the nation, and she plays with the Philadelphia Orchestra too. And her husband? The principal bassist of the orchestra.
These are some of the most famous orchestral musicians in the nation, and yet I get to see what they have for dinner, I meet their kids, and I count them as my friends. What a blessing.
On the other hand, I'm thankful for the stellar children I have. I can't brag about them in public, because there's a lot of bad feelings from people if I do, but I can't deny it. It's not glorying in anything I've done--it's glorying in the talents they have been given from God.
Ethan is applying for a European Union internship for the fall. When he was thinking of people who could write him letters of recommendation, it wasn't a matter of finding someone who could write him one; it was a matter of choosing whom would be the best. Ethan has made such an impression with so many people that he has people volunteering to help him in anyway, before he even needs any help. So, when he does need something, it's not difficult to find what he needs. He has surrounded himself with a village of people who care about him. And it's always been this way for him--people believe in him.
This life is a give and take experience. I wish I could say that our family has given has much as we have taken, but I can't--we have just been so blessed with the people we have met. When Maestro Sawallisch died, I felt the grief of those musicians who had performed with him. I felt as though he had been my friend and colleague also. It's crazy to feel that way, but that's what it means to have friends--you feel their pain, and their triumphs. I'm glad I get to do that.
This past week, a former conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch, died. He had served as the conductor of the orchestra for 10 years. Because he only retired in 2003, there are musicians who performed under his baton who still play with the orchestra.The crazy thing is that the husband of Mark's Philadelphia horn teacher is one of them. David Bilger has been the principal trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra for several years, and he had beautiful, poignant memories of studying with Maestro Sawallisch. Click here to read his words.
I guess I could call this three degrees of separation--knowing David Bilger through Mark--but I feel as close to him and his musical experiences as I do to my own. It sounds strange, but I feel this way about many of the people I know.
In fact, I am reminded again of how blessed my children are, knowing whom they know.
When I was looking for a new horn teacher for Mark several years ago, I was frustrated because the local university horn professor wouldn't take Mark as a student. I didn't know what else to do, but to look at a map and find the closest big cities. Cleveland was four hours away, Pittsburgh was three as were Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Because Philadelphia and Cleveland are known as two of the five greatest orchestras in the United States, it seemed wise to search these orchestras for a teacher. I looked at Philadelphia first, identified the first horn in the orchestra, and unbelievably, contacted her via Facebook! Thank goodness for my naivete, because if I knew then what I know now, I would never have done this!
While she couldn't take Mark as a student, she recommended the fourth horn in the orchestra, Angela Cordell. And thus began a wonderful journey....
Angela read pages and pages of emails I wrote her, convincing her that we were good prospects. Knowing her now, I know that these weren't necessary. She's a wonderfully organic person, and can easily recognize "good people". She was perfect for Mark.
As it happened, Angela was engaged to marry the principal trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra. When I would drop Mark off for his lessons, Mr. Bilger would be there, friendly and conversational. I was so happy to run into him.
When I was looking for string teachers for the girls, I went to Angela. She knew exactly what kind of people we Kennedys are, and I knew she could make a good match for us. Plus, she was a foot in the door for us. Her recommendation would go a long way, and I knew that if I was to look alone, it would be like shooting in the dark.
She gave us the names of a violinist and a violist, both of whom play in the orchestra. I never could have imagined what a blessing her help would be for my girls.
While these people are amazing musicians, they are even better people. Ricardo is the most darling father to his daughter, Victoria. He picks her up, props her on his shoulder, grabs their cocker spaniel, Charlie, and heads out for a walk. When he sees us, he's always happy to stop and say "hi". I have heard Amy speaking Japanese to Victoria and have seen her teaching her how to bow to her elders.
Amy is more to us than just a teacher. In fact, just today she texted me that she had acquired free tickets for this Friday's orchestra performance and would I be interested in attending it? She would teach Glo before the performance if I could make arrangements with Johannah's teacher for the same time.
Johannah's teacher, Pam Fay, has been playing with one of the premier chamber groups in the nation, and she plays with the Philadelphia Orchestra too. And her husband? The principal bassist of the orchestra.
These are some of the most famous orchestral musicians in the nation, and yet I get to see what they have for dinner, I meet their kids, and I count them as my friends. What a blessing.
On the other hand, I'm thankful for the stellar children I have. I can't brag about them in public, because there's a lot of bad feelings from people if I do, but I can't deny it. It's not glorying in anything I've done--it's glorying in the talents they have been given from God.
Ethan is applying for a European Union internship for the fall. When he was thinking of people who could write him letters of recommendation, it wasn't a matter of finding someone who could write him one; it was a matter of choosing whom would be the best. Ethan has made such an impression with so many people that he has people volunteering to help him in anyway, before he even needs any help. So, when he does need something, it's not difficult to find what he needs. He has surrounded himself with a village of people who care about him. And it's always been this way for him--people believe in him.
This life is a give and take experience. I wish I could say that our family has given has much as we have taken, but I can't--we have just been so blessed with the people we have met. When Maestro Sawallisch died, I felt the grief of those musicians who had performed with him. I felt as though he had been my friend and colleague also. It's crazy to feel that way, but that's what it means to have friends--you feel their pain, and their triumphs. I'm glad I get to do that.
Beautifully said. I'm so sorry you can't talk about your kids as much as you deserve to. I'm always willing to hear about your amazing kids and they deserved to be praised! You are all awesome!
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