In one of my other lives away from blogdom, I play trombone. A bit sporadically right now, but I’m hoping things pick up this fall with a new worship schedule (more on that later). I’ve played for over 25 years now, since I was 10 or 11 years old. In my trombone “life”, I’ve come across innumerable friends and personalities, from students to “weekend warriors” like myself to consummate professionals at the top of their craft.
One of the latter players I’ve had the blessing to meet online is Douglas Yeo, bass trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a post he’s held since 1985. Mr. Yeo and I share some common interests in the history of the bass trombone involving one of his predecessors at the BSO, Kauko Kahila. In 1982, while he was still with the Baltimore Symphony, Mr. Yeo wrote an article that was published in Christianity Today, titled “The View from the Back Row“:
“There is no doubt in my mind that I have the best seat in the concert hall for every concert. In this essay, I discuss my philosophy of music and music performance from my vantage point in the back row of a professional symphony orchestra. Beginning with the premise that music is an intense spiritual experience that brings man closer to God, I speak of the great privilege, responsibility and joy that comes from making music as an offering to the Creator of all things.”
Even if you’re not a performing musician, Mr. Yeo’s article is worth reading as a testimonial and offering to the creative power of our Lord and God. I know that there have been many times standing on the front stage playing with the praise and worship band that I’ll turn to my friend and trumpet player, Mike, and we’ll both wordlessly understand that somewhere out there in the congregation the Holy Spirit is working through us (or even in spite of our playing).
It is an awesome privilege to lead His worship and I can only echo Mr. Yeo’s final thoughts:
“When people ask me why I make music, I reply that I make it as an offering to God. It came from Him, and I return it to Him. It is a continual cycle of giving, sharing, offering, worship and sacrifice that is one of the joys of my life. I praise Him for the talent He has given me, and for the privilege of witnessing to the majesty of His name in a way that touches so many.
From my seat in the back row, I can truly see it all. I can feel it all. And it inspires me, awes me, and sometimes frightens me. But how wonderful it is that all of us, performers and listeners alike, can join together in kinship with the psalmist and say, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” What a privilege. What a responsibility. What a joy!”
Amen!
2 Comments
I used to lead worship at times for a service at my church. I remember one day looking over the congregation while I was leading and noticed that the sound man had stepped away from the sound board and had is hands raised lost in worship to God. The strange part is that usually, due to our lighting setup I cannot see anybody past the stage and yet I managed to see him all the way in the back. It was an awesome reminder that we need to take the joy of worship very seriously.
Thanks for the good post.
Mitch, thanks for stopping by (and blogrolling this site – I’ve added your great blog here). I love that phrase “the joy of worship”… that really captures my heart right now.
One Trackback
[...] from a recent comment left by Mitch Guthrie – I believe in giving credit where credit is due and his choice of words was inspired. Explore posts in the same categories: praise [...]