Bocelli's Gift
Since our historic site is closed, I've been trying to connect OTHER people to the humanities via our social media channels. I had heard on NPR that Andrea Bocelli would be broadcasting an Easter concert from the Duomo, so I made it a point to tune in.
Being single and in lock down, one day is a lot like the next -- including a holiday. Bocelli has always been a favorite and his message of hope actually caused a flood of wonderful memories for me rather than thoughts of the future. He began with "Ave Maria", a song from my grandmother's funeral; she passed when I was in high school.
As I listened to Bocelli's lovely tenor I began thinking about Easter and spring at my grandmother's house -- peonies blooming, egg hunts on the front lawn of my aunt's house next door, and that one Easter morning when I looked out the window and there was a live jackrabbit sitting amongst the eggs! By the time Bocelli reached "Amazing Grace," another song from my grandmother's funeral, my cat, Watson, also a fan of Bocelli, was sitting on my lap patting with his paw at the tears of joy and remembrance coursing down my face.
That lovely gift from Bocelli of happier days and people who are no longer here is one I will treasure forever.
YouTube, Andrea Bocelli
1pm est, 12 April 2020
Michelle Zupan, Curator & Director, Hickory Hill
bocelli-gift
Learning to Sing Stories
<p>Juan Felipe Herrera, a performance artist, activist, and U.S. poet laureate in 2015, recalls how his third-grade teacher’s compliment on his singing voice led to his lifelong belief in using his voice to encourage the beauty in the voices, stories, and, experiences of others. He goes on to speak about the power of the humanities to warm communities, create peace, and, move hearts.</p>
<p>To celebrate its 40th year anniversary of grant making, programming, and partnerships that connect Californians to each other, California Humanities invited a group of 40 prominent Californians to explore what the humanities mean to them. For more information visit <a href="http://calhum.org/about/we-are-the-humanities" title="California Humanities: We Are the Humanities" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Humanities: We Are the Humanities</a>.</p>
Juan Felipe Herrera, performance artist, activist, and U.S. Poet Laureate in 2015
juan-felipe-herrera
My Front Porch Looking In
Music helped transform my understanding of the world. There is a song for any emotion and the song can either exacerbate an existing emotion or help change the way you are feeling. It can cheer you up or allow you to wallow in whatever you are feeling but at the end of the day the fact that music can make you feel something is where its power comes from.
I was around seven years old. My dad and I were in the car when the song came on. "My Front Porch Looking In" by the band Lonestar was my favorite song and I knew every word. I loved singing the song at the top of my lungs every time it came on. Today though, I stayed quiet. I had just witnessed yet another argument between my parents and my dad had taken me for a drive around town to cool off. He looked over at me with a confused expression when he saw I wasn't singing. All of a sudden he started singing the song as loud as possible and started to sway back and forth. He smiled and nudged my arm and soon enough I was grinning and singing along. This was the first time that music helped me to cope with a difficult situation. Since that day, I have turned to music as a sort of therapy to help me get through any rough time and the power of music has never failed me.
Music helped transform my understanding of the world. There is a song for any emotion and the song can either exacerbate an existing emotion or help change the way you are feeling. It can cheer you up or allow you to wallow in whatever you are feeling but at the end of the day the fact that music can make you feel something is where its power comes from.
Lonestar
"My Front Porch Looking In" by Lonestar
2005
Zachary Fine, 19, Student
my-front-porch-looking-in