‘I wish I had said that’
And now, from the “I wish I had said that” category…
“When you lift your voice to the vastness of the world, what do you hear? What do you feel? What do you help others feel? The gift of song can stir the heart, it can invigorate the mind, it can bridge seemingly insurmountable divides. It can inspire, it can delight, it can educate, it can change lives.” –Terra Brantley
“How many of you believe the sound of the human voice, especially the singing voice, is capable of calming the troubled soul, or awakening courage when, for whatever reason, courage lies dormant or appears to be nonexistent? How many of you share my belief in the power of music to sooth, strengthen, motivate and heal?” –Dr. George Shirley
Both of these quotes were uttered by speakers at the Vocal Arts Conference presented by our Vocal Arts Institute last summer, and are so fitting for Heartland Sings. Everyone around these parts believes in the power of music. It is the medium with which we entertain and educate. Music defines our days and guides our ways.
I hope the original speakers won’t mind if I blend their words with a dash of creative rephrasing to emphasize their memorable impact:
When you lift your voice to the vastness of the world,
what do you hear?
what do you feel?
what do you help others feel?
The gift of song can stir the heart.
How many of you believe the sound of the human voice is capable of calming the troubled soul?
The gift of song can invigorate the mind.
How many of you believe the sound of the human voice is capable of awakening a dormant courage?
The gift of song can bridge seemingly insurmountable divides.
How many of you believe the sound of the human voice can soothe, strengthen, motivate, and heal?
The gift of song can inspire, it can delight, it can educate, it can change lives.
Terra Brantley is a community servant, advocate, former WANE TV news anchor, former President/CEO of the Fort Wayne Urban League and of WBOI 89.1 Northeast Indiana Public Radio. She is currently the evening anchor at WFFT Fox 55 News.
Dr. George Shirley (tenor) is a national and international performer, teacher, and lecturer. He was the first African-American tenor to perform a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and has won international acclaim for his performances.
Our second annual Vocal Arts Conference is just two weeks away, and it's not too late for you to register. Come, and let music educate and inspire you. http://www.heartlandsings.org/Education/VocalArtsConference.aspx
