The interesting thing about playing in a band, is that you form friendships, and lifelong partnerships ... and after enough practices and concerts, you really get your act down together. You find that in almost any circumstances, you're on the same page with the other band members ... and it is only natural that you experience something of what
each member is going through. At the same time, the rest of the band is strongly influenced by what
you're going through ... but all in all, things tend to round themselves out, and so long as the
cohesive spirit of the band itself remains present, so also will the band - as an entity - live and thrive.
Now apply this same thinking to a larger musical entity, such as a symphony orchestra - and one that travels, so that its members are often together, much like a band. Don't forget that even within
one orchestra there are sections. There are woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion ... not to mention any number of sub-groupings of these. And yet, if we are considering the
Moscow Symphony Orchestra as an example, most would agree that there is a
unique style, a repertoire, and thus collectively, a
character which that orchestra takes on. This character is not defined
strictly by the woodwinds, or by the brass, or by any one section ... although in some orchestral groups I'm sure there is recognition of each of these. Overall, a famous orchestra stands out among its fans for many reasons, but it still holds for the discerning ear a certain
character and quality.
Now take this idea further. In this very large world of ours,
united in many ways but diverse in others, no one in his right mind would argue that
many good and famous symphony orchestras exist ... each with its own repertoire, style and character, as mentioned above. Some may even seem to be in competition with each other, though usually
in a friendly manner - by sheer virtue of the
literal harmony and spirit of cooperation that is necessary to even form the orchestra in the first place, much less become "good." Overall, however, orchestral music - though diverse - is
all related as belonging to a common genre ... and when one attends the symphony one does not usually expect to hear heavy metal, or jazz, or country music ... notwithstanding certain bold experiments of
Kronos and the like.
The point is ... musicians come in all shapes & sizes, all colors & varieties, and practice their art through all types of media, including the beautiful power of the (unaccompanied) human voice itself. Yet
all is music. An artist can rise to great heights as a soloist, and
much great work has been accomplished this way. Often, musicians collaborate in a band, jazz group, or orchestra ... and this metaphor opens us to many, many possibilities. An orchestral group, for instance, usually has a
Conductor. And naturally, if I have played with the same group for many years, sharing any number of moving & personal experiences ... I will come to respect, cherish, and even revere
my particular Conductor - more than that of any other orchestra. Does that mean he's better?
Even conductors, on occasion, might seek to outdo each other, but I would submit that this is all in the healthy, happy spirit of a
positive challenge. It is a test of one's creativity, of one's innovation. We see many of the same elements of this metaphor in the sporting arena ... but I think the spirit of cooperation is somewhat less prominent, and that of
competition - healthy or otherwise - receives undue stress.
I find this metaphor
ideal for talking about religions, denominations, religious leaders, harmony (or the desperate need thereof) between followers - both
within a given denomination & amongst different religions, etc. In fact, I
like to hope (and am certain, for & of myself) ... that in
God's Orchestra, to be somewhat quaint - there
is room for everybody. For if there is not, then surely, somewhere, somehow ... I have misunderstood.
May you follow faithfully in the footsteps
of the drummer (bandleader, or Conductor) you have chosen ...
Peace,
andrew
