From the back of the file cabinet...

There I was, looking for a manila folder and in the back of my tan file cabinet drawer was a file that listed two of my song titles:  war is sweet, and i said nothing.

It was curious to see this title so I opened the (nearly empty) folder to find this thank-you card:

The sketched artwork is a Lancer from Lincoln Jr. High/IB World School, where both of my children attended for their Junior High School years and freshman year of High School.

While my son, Zach, was a freshman, I was hired to work in the music department of this school working with Band, Choirs and Orchestra.

This note, however, is from when Zach's older sister, Kaitlin, was a freshman, because when I opened the note I found her gratitude wishes amongst those of her classmates:

Even after reading their hand-written words, I was a bit puzzled and then I turned the note over and read the thank-you from their teacher, Colleen Conrad.  

I dimly started to recall this experience...I visited their classroom and shared these two songs in person, which were later recorded in 2007 for my a piece of it all CD.  The memory had completely receded into the dusty stacks of my library-like memory.

Ah, yes!  The amazing 9th grade English teacher whose focus was helping each student find the thing that lit them up with interest, engagement and then encouraged and challenged them to follow that light!

She wrote:

"Steve,

THANK YOU for sharing your message with us!

The songs were both beautiful & powerful, & I
appreciated being able to reinforce the words & ideas behind "I Didn't Speak Up" through music.

That's always a good way for students to understand an important message.

Colleen Conrad  :)"

These kinds of thank-you cards are probably like many that we all have "had to write" to some guest who visited our various school classrooms during our time as students.

I can recall being moved to write these several times, but never again thinking about them once I'd added my words and signature.

I don't remember if I ever thought about if the recipient would read our messages, or if they would really matter in the larger scheme of things.

Well, today, this was just the message I needed to hear!

A thank-you from the past, from students who are now all in their late 20s.  All thanking me for helping them ask questions about what they assume to be true.

I am especially touched by Lianna's words:

"The music was a definite change in the way I'll think"

Lest we think the little that we do matters,  we can (and do) small things, with great love!

-Steve

(a little more hopeful and inspired as I go back to the little things I am doing today....)

(After the) Concert Window Show

Now THAT was a lot of fun!

Pre-Show set up

I had done a Concert Window Show with my trio, S.E.A (Erin Mae Lewis and Amber Rogers) last month, but this week was the first one I did as a solo, and it was a blast.

Lots of folks tuned in from several different time zones and were very active in posting while I played and sang Gratitude-Themed songs and tunes.

Pre-Show Selfie

While preparing for the show was very much like any other concert, choosing the tunes, designing the Set List, deciding which instrument would play which tune, doing the publicity and reminders about the show, making postcards for my local classes and friends; the real difference is after the show.  Connecting with the people joined in, those who had comments during the show or who left comments afterwards.  Those who chose tips which need rewards sent to them.

All of this is the connection that is sometimes missing after a live concert when I have to pack up my gear and drive back home.

Some of my friends ask if I think the 70/30% split with Concert Window is a fair one.  My answer:  yes.

Not only is the interface and the publicity and the accounting and the follow-up quite intuitive, the quality of the video and sound is higher than some other platforms, AND there is a highlight video created immediately, AND I am able to save an archival copy of the show, provided I make no commercial use of it.   Furthermore, this is a better percentage in favor of the artist that other platforms that I've used in the past.  Finally, your tips and tickets and support was deposited into my bank within 4 days.

Here is the highlight video from the concert:



Ungrateful to These Teachers is the first concert performance of this tune, inspired by a poem by Kahlil Gibran.

I will be giving other Concert Window Shows.  If you want to follow me on Concert Window  here is My Channel.

The next one will be an ADVENT-themed show with tunes from my first all-instrumental recording, Hark, the Glad Sound!  so mark your calendar!

Monday, November 30, 5:30 pm PST, 6:30 pm MST, 7:30 pm CST, 8:30 pm EST