Stick Time: What are We Taking for Granted?

We probably all take certain things for granted.

 

We take the electricity in our home for granted (until the power goes out).  We take our cars for granted (until they refuse to start).  We take many of the positive day-to-day comforts of our country for granted (until we travel abroad).

 

Some in our profession even take American choral music for granted.  That is, until someone from beyond our borders performs it so well and with such unabashed delight that we have to take notice.

 

Such is the case in the accompanying video of a performance of Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” from an ACDA national conference.  The performers – a Norwegian choir – appear to be having a delightful time singing this home-grown melody.  Their eyes are twinkling and some of them can barely contain their smiles.  The effervescent quality of their performance is punctuated by the thunderous ovation from the audience.

 

Are you taking the great songs of our land for granted?  (And don’t you wish some of our singers here at home demonstrated such glee in their singing?)