A Little Help from Our Friends

I don't want to belabor a point, but I think it is important to say this again. We had a wonderful experience with our Spring Fundraiser. As for myself, I had a good time performing the two pieces that I alluded to in the last newsletter. I greatly appreciated Erin Mae Lewis arranging and then teaching me those two songs as well as playing back up!

One club member came up to me a few days later and commented that I could no longer hide behind the guise of being a "Beginner" player. That was very kind and I am still a beginner which brings me to my point.

We have fostered an attitude in our club that beginners are welcome. That is a good thing. Not only that; but we have also established a "safe place" where persons such as myself can play without fear of derision for making mistakes. This is not always easy for any group to do; but you have done it.

Of course I realize that some of you probably do get impatient with the plinking-of-the-neophytes; but you have said little or nothing about it. In fact, I have experienced the opposite. As a beginner, I appreciate it. The spirit of encouragement is good for our club and it is good for music. The art of music can be the expression of anyone from the child banging on a pan to the virtuoso sharing the gift of a classical piece with intricately interwoven parts and melodies.

So, it is with our club. We have some extremely accomplished and gifted musicians and conversely, we have some members who have never played anything before. Perhaps one of the things that makes our club successful is the friendship ties that we develop. Our club is not just about music. It is also about friendship.

Some of you may remember the song, "With a Little Help from My Friends"? Or, maybe I should say, "Is there anyone who does not remember the song?" Even if you were born sometime after 1967, you probably know the song. It has become engrained with the fabric of our society.

Focus on part of the lyrics:

"What would you think if I sang out of tune

Would you stand up and walk out on me

Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song

And I'll try not to sing out of key

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hmm, going to try with a little help from my friends"

I must admit, even though John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote it and Ringo sang it; it was Joe Cocker who "performed" it. The real beauty of this song is the lyrics.

If GPDA is an alliance of friends, I feel I am among friends.

Gary President