A World of Difference

NMB, Florida September 16, 2001, A.H.
Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published Now and
Then. Opinions Pro or Con Are Welcome.

A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE
Last night Charlotte and Frank treated us to a special concert dedicated to
"the memory of those lost in the senseless tragedy of the past week". The
New World Symphony, "America's Orchestral Academy", played a program of
Barber, Debussy, Bartok, Ravel and Tchaikovsky with young musicians and a
talented, inspiring and energetic director, Joseph Swenson. There were two
pieces for the Harp. The harpist, Elizabeth Hainen, put her golden harp
into her car and drove from Pennsylvania to Miami, she being an alumna of
the group in order to play with the students. There was little or no time
for planning or a real rehearsal.

It was simply a magnificent evening put together quickly with a full house
and tremendous irrepressible emotion.

There is a world of difference between what went on in that building and
what inspired it - by what happened to the buildings in New York City and
Washington, D.C. Thereupon rests some interesting comparisons.

These Americans, those in the orchestra and those in the audience, chose to
go out and celebrate genius, talent and re-creation of wonderful mellifluous
sounds. This was the celebration of life. There was no licking of wounds
here!

Once faceless and nameless and now known killers dealt death to themselves
and shame to their cause. They chose to use weapons against their fellow
travelers in this world. Their compatriots chose to shoot guns in the air to
celebrate the actions of terrorists killing 5,300+ civilians.

The musicians on stage went to a school where they were taught to read the
language of musical notation and translate it into the voices of stringed
instruments. They affirmed the civilization that made their lives sparkle
with magic performing with a skill far better than they believed they could
do.

The children who grew up to be terrorists went to school where they were
taught to hate and to hurt and kill themselves. There is a world of
difference. Carol's Evaluation: 10+ out of 10.