Here it is, November 1st, and the new musical season is upon me. The Mesa City Band has had two concerts already, with another in a week. Swing Memories Big Band has four gigs in the next two weeks. Silveridge Pops Orchestra begins rehearsals on Monday, with our first engagement at the top of December. And, of course, it's been a busy and eventful Summer/Fall at church. More on that in a moment.
At the Mesa Band's first concert at Leisure World, Anali has always brought Elmer. It's an outdoor concert and it's a good place for kids. This year, of course, she brought Arthur (and Daphne and Marylou, by the way). I'm so glad that she does. It's fun to have the kids there. It's fun to have them watch me direct and play. It's very satisfying as a father to have Elmer pretend to conduct. Or to have him carry his trumpet around and cry out, "Cornet!"
But more along my lines is my new Mass that I've written for the church, which we are using on a weekly basis. Back in August (or was it July) Fr. Way commissioned me to write a Mass for our regular Sunday use. I've completed it and I really like it. The parish likes it too and I pray that it gives them a sense of pride in St. Mark's and makes our service unique. Of course, I've written many songs in the past years that we use at church. But this is something special and it is FOR St. Mark's; not just a song I wrote for my own use. Anyway, I am grateful Fr. Way gave me that opportunity.
There some other St. Mark's news that I can't quite reveal yet, except to say that in the near future we may be host to two musical groups in Mesa. I would love to see St. Mark's become a musical destination in Mesa. Maybe God has this planned for us. We'll see!
Meanwhile, tomorrow is our All Saint's Day Celebration. I've got a bunch of special music for the service, and there'll be a potluck afterwards. Good, old-fashioned fun and fellowship.