Good Omens

As I’ve mentioned, even ahead of the first concert it’s been inspiring how enthusiastic people are to help. Advance publicity has served as we hoped, to draw out all sorts of suggestions of interesting locations or situations. 

Then yesterday, the eve of the launch concert, I got an email that read like something made up for the movie adaptation of this project:

Dear Professor Feurzeig,

I saw your interview on WCAX on Monday this week and was immediately intrigued.

We are a small, pre-K through 8th grade, elementary school in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. We are in an economically challenged part of the state, yet, over the last five years, with community support, we have developed a thriving band and strings (violin and cello) program for our students in grades 3-8. Every student in those grades has had at least two years of violin lessons and followed up with either a choice of strings or traditional band instruments. That means we have 68 students who currently and actively play instruments. This began when a community member sponsored our first band attempt, by paying for the overhaul of donated instruments (of which we now have over 20 instruments that we own and maintain so students don't have to rent). The school board voted to launch the strings program in the spring of 2018 by authorizing me to locate an instructor and secure rental of instruments. Since then, we have purchased over 20 violins and 3 cellos. In the winter of 2020, we were given a baby grand piano, and in the fall of 2021, we were given a 3/4 double bass. As you can tell, we are developing a strong musical vibe here at Miller's Run School.

When I saw your interview, I immediately reached out to our music teachers Lydia Ham and and Rachel Kish about inviting you and offering to host your performance here...

Sincerely,
Patrick Ham, principal

Just wow. Maybe a concerto for student band and ringer pianist? Or who knows what. I can’t wait to talk to the music teachers to find out more about the possibilities. 

I’m verklempt. The project is turning into a genuinely #NotMeUs adventure. For all the encouraging exchanges I’ve had so far and all the cool possibilities floated—playing in Derby Line seated at the keyboard in Canada with the audience in the US (the project logo come to life!), maybe accompanying François “Officer” Clemmons from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood in Middlebury—this latest invitation marks the beginning of a new level. It’s like everything just went into color.