Musical Internship: Craft Lives
This past week I was attending a convention of our national Catholic Women's organization, the Catholic Women's League of Canada. At our Ontario Provincial Convention we were fortunate to have some great entertainment after the banquet.
A traditional folk musical group called Leahy (pronounced "Lay-hee") have been recording for years. One of the brothers, Doug, came along with his wife and children. It is clear that the children practice -- practice the violin, other instruments, dancing and singing. And they are getting coaching via Skype with expert practitioners in the various disciplines.
Time was that most artists or artisans acquired their skills through a kind of apprenticing. This kind of learning flows out of our own story so much. We first learn by experience. Guiding that experience is invaluable whether it is an art or the spiritual life. Naturally it has to be sensitive, accompanied by good doses of patience, increasing skill and practice, practice, practice.
Because of the nature of the folk tradition it does not readily get contained in "school"; it is still spread by personal encounter. This makes the music somehow more immediate.
It was clear that the kids not only were very talented but enjoyed the music that their parents so happily share with them. It was a relaxing and joyful evening of sharing the gift of music.
A traditional folk musical group called Leahy (pronounced "Lay-hee") have been recording for years. One of the brothers, Doug, came along with his wife and children. It is clear that the children practice -- practice the violin, other instruments, dancing and singing. And they are getting coaching via Skype with expert practitioners in the various disciplines.
Time was that most artists or artisans acquired their skills through a kind of apprenticing. This kind of learning flows out of our own story so much. We first learn by experience. Guiding that experience is invaluable whether it is an art or the spiritual life. Naturally it has to be sensitive, accompanied by good doses of patience, increasing skill and practice, practice, practice.
Because of the nature of the folk tradition it does not readily get contained in "school"; it is still spread by personal encounter. This makes the music somehow more immediate.
It was clear that the kids not only were very talented but enjoyed the music that their parents so happily share with them. It was a relaxing and joyful evening of sharing the gift of music.
