The Lord Bless You

I once sang this song while holding Emma Redinger's hand. It was my freshman year, the last concert of the year, and I was watching my friends say goodbye to their friends, their siblings- and like always, we sang The Lord Bless You. Afterwords Emma hugged me and told me that when the seniors were gone, you'd always remember who they were, what they meant to you, and the memories you've shared with them.

When the seniors leave, they leave you their legacies. The Lord Bless You is a legacy of OHS. For me, and the others who've sang it.

I've been taught to find connections to music, whether it be a genuine feeling or not. For me, music is nothing but sounds without emotion and connection. The true measure of a measure is not by the notes on the page, but rather, what's between the lines. You know the cliche, "Read between the lines."

I know this applies to music more than people, or context clues, or life, or a novel.

Music should not be a technical, mechanical motion. That's not the point. And I can assure you that if you ask any person what their favorite song is and why, they will absolutely never tell you "Because the chord progression in measure 17 is just inspiring."

Technicalities are not why we sing, or play, or compose. Technicalities remain because literally, we need to know it before we feel it.

We sing The Lord Bless You because when we sing it we remember the people we've sang it with; and they remember the people they've sang it with; and we're a family. Now, when I sing it I sing for Emma and for her family. For the people she loved and for the people who loved her.

The Lord Bless You And Keep You

THIS is why we sing it, this is why it means so much.
Because it means memories and well wishes,
and hugs and kisses,
and goodbyes and hellos
through the highs and the lows.
Because it matters.
Because the ones who've sang it matters.
Because it mattered to them.
And it matters to us.

Forever in our hearts,
for Emma.

Perfection

Good A Capella is Good

I like this.