The Magic of Music

I have always looked forward to the Lancaster Festival since it first started with outdoor concerts by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. It has been a joy and a music and art lover’s dream to see it change and grow to the acclaimed event that it is today.

For the past several years I have enjoyed, after some anticipation, watching members of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra walk to the middle of High Street in front of St. Mary Church and with a musical fanfare, herald in the beginning of the Lancaster Festival.

This year was to be no different.

I was looking forward to sitting in the midst of the church-filled crowd, watching Maestro Gary Sheldon pick up his baton for the first time this year and listen to the strains of the Festival Orchestra and the Stars of Tomorrow. Because the past years’ programs have always been glorious to hear, I knew this year’s program featuring pianist Ido Akon, violinist Tai Murray, bassist Eva Preno, and the Brazil Guitar Duo would be no different.

However, I was unable to attend. Instead, with a heavy heart, I took part in another concert of sorts and watched a fanfare of another kind.

About the time the brass fanfare at St. Mary was taking place to usher in the Festival, the angels of Heaven played a fanfare to usher in my father, Kenneth Eugene Saunders, Sr. into eternal life.

My dad passed away from this life last night as my other family members and I sang his favorite church songs and hymns. He has been ill for a long while. I am sad beyond measure, but know my Dad is in a place where everyday will be special for him.

Dad is one of the main reasons why I love music. His grandfather and uncles played in a band in the early 1900s. Dad has many cousins who were and are famous musicians, including his Aunt Annistine who sang with Count Basie,Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzerald, and Lionel Hampton. Dad had a beautiful bass voice and sang around the house often. I recall days when I was younger, especially on Saturday nights when Dad turned off the TV and played albums on the stereo. My brothers didn’t seem to appreciate the music of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Ray Charles, but I enjoyed laying down on the floor next to him and soaking up the different styles of music. He listened to classical, jazz, blues, big band - almost all genres including Tom Jones and The Osmonds. Once in awhile, much to my delight, Dad would grab Mom and they would dance around the living room before Mom laughed and told Dad to stop because she couldn’t dance.

Dad - and Mom - encouraged my siblings and I to sing. He bought me a piano when I was 10 and my cousin taught me to play. I recall that I would play a song, someone would start singing, someone else would be in a different part of the room and began to sing, soon everyone was walking to the room and singing together. We - The Saunders Singers have sang for several years for Festival Fair Day and sing other places. Now, our children have joined us in singing. The lone instrumentalist is my daughter, Heather, who plays all the saxophones except soprano sax.

Whenever Dad was in the hospital or nursing home for rehabilitation, we went to those places and sang, which he said helped him in his recovery. Other patients and visitors often gathered near Dad’s room to listen. They commented that it helped to comfort them and uplift thier spirits.

This is what the music of the Festival Orchestra and the many artists manage to do for me. It seems no matter what I am going through or how I am feeling, attending an event and listening to the music is like a magic salve, healing and soothing my soul.

Dad has taught me that music is magical, transporting us to new heights, and I am comforted that he has truly found this to be true. As we were singing on this side, he was also listening to the music on the other side, magical music that healed his body and cleansed his soul.

I will always be grateful to Dad for sharing with me his love for music. I will be able to enjoy the music of the Lancaster Festival with new appreciation.