Then Sings My Soul

Have you ever heard a song or listened to music that was so moving it stirred something deep within your spirit and brought tears to your eyes? I've had this experience many times, but none as much as the one I heard last Saturday. The teachers at SCS were given invitations to listen to a former SCS student, Hyung Ji Jang (Jeanie), perform at Giovanni's at the Hyatt. The venue alone is breathtaking and enough to calm your spirit and put you in a relaxed mood. But add to that a brilliant performance by Hyung Ji and her friends and my spirit was uplifted tenfold. I was in awe of the talent these ladies had. Their performances were flawless. At times I closed my eyes and thought I was listening to a recording. But it was live and I was there and I am so grateful for beautiful music.

They performed classical and some more contemporary pieces that are familiar and popular with the general public. The concert began with Gabriel's Oboe from the movie, "Mission". The next performance was a trio of contemporary pieces: Moon River, The Entertainer, and Por Una Cabeza. Then we heard a piano performance of Claire de Lune, followed by Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 4 Movement 3. Next the cellist performed Le Cygne and Salut d'Amour.

There were two performances that moved me very deeply. One was performed by the french horn, the oboe, and the cello, with piano accompaniment. They played an arrangement of This is My Father's World. I recognized it as a hymn. While they were performing, I kept thinking about how God is so big and he gives talent that is so amazing. And I also thought, we so often limit the power of God in our lives. God can use us and grant us amazing talent if we just open up and believe it. Whether that particular piece was included in their concert by design or coincident, God was glorified regardless. For me, it was a moment of deep gratitude.

The last piece was another performance that moved me to tears. Hyung Ji performed the entire movement of Carmen Fantasie. Words cannot accurately express what I heard coming from that flute. She was amazing. The passion she had for performing never wavered throughout the entire piece. She gave her all and we were blessed because of it. The performance deserved and received a standing ovation. As an encore, she performed, You Lift Me Up.

I felt like I was the one lifted up that afternoon. In listening to them perform and watching their passion, I walked away having a bigger view and love for God. Whether they intended that or not, I cannot say. But I can say that I left with my soul singing and a deeper faith for asking God for bigger things.