Cheers to the Green Violin Goddess & Other Musical Acts of Courage

On Saturday, Husband and I attended a Sarasota Orchestra performance that was combined with the Youth Philharmonic program. A 13 year old girl who had been practicing the violin since age 4 stepped on to the stage for her solo, and we were both beside ourselves. Her mastery of control and concentration, coupled with the complicated notes in Beriot's Scene de Ballet, Op. 100 were truly something to behold! I felt proud of her as if she came from my own herd, just watching this young teen in front of a large crowd and leading the orchestra with her grace and command. Husband loved it too.


The thunder of applause and the whistles as this young wonder bowed in her green gown and sparkly headband almost brought tears to my own eyes.

I send out thanks to the young Green Violin Goddess for having the courage to follow her dreams and hope she’ll keep up with them through the trials of high school and college. It’s humbling to think of how much we owe musicians young and old, dead and alive, from every background, all around the world for enriching our lives with the power of music and the experience of live performance.

Even aside from the difficulty of making a living as an artist, it takes courage to make music your professional path. I’m glad the musical legends of today and yesterday did what they did.

As we’ve established before, I’m a supreme and loyal lover of U2 (image at left was on a poster that adorned my walls many thousands of moons ago). I’ll spare you the affectionate testimonials. But outside of U2’s exceptionally branded music and activism, I find myself enjoying a wide variety of what’s been offered in melody through the ages—folk, ska, punk, Celtic, Indian, classical (Debussey is up there for me), opera every now and then, old school rock n’ roll—even a bit of musical bling from a few choice rap legends. I recently discovered Eliza Gilkinson and find that I can listen for hours on end, and the Black Eyed Peas have finally made their way into my musical realm. (I’m so 2000-late on that one.)

Of course the Beatles, Gladys Night, the Drifters and Sam Cooke are held close to the heart, as with so many other artists that comprised 1960’s greatness. These were once new to some and were once “oldies” to others—like me. Now I am finding that music I grew up with in the 80’s is being featured on our local oldies station here. Duran Duran is really considered oldies material? Holy crap. That’s disturbing.

[…Almost as disturbing as 13-year-old stepson’s recent questions: “What’s a record?” followed by “What’s a tape?” I guess that makes me an old freaking lady.]

I’ve seen great live performances, from little known Gainesville college bands playing at the long since gone Covered Dish to Bo Diddley, Sting, Eric Clapton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, LL Cool J, Indigo Girls, Rolling Stones, Dar Williams, etc., etc. [The James Taylor/ Carol King show coming up in June is top on my list…never seen Sweet Baby James live and will love it no doubt!]

As I’ve gotten older, my concert going days have certainly been more limited. But I think I’ll always enjoy the thick air of togetherness that shrouds you at every live show. Maybe it’s the feel of dramatically different people brought together by music, yes?

Who are your musical faves and where have you seen them perform?