September 2004

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Of a transition.

In yesterday's mail came the newsletter from my church at home. The first thing in the newsletter was a copy of a letter from N., the music director, announcing that she intends to retire in November. And pointing out that she had been on the job for over forty years. I had forgotten exactly when she came to the church, but I knew it was during my junior choir years.

I have some nice memories from that time, but my main memories of N. are from times when I played flute for church services. N. first asked me to play duet with another flutist as part of an anthem accompaniment when I was in college. After that, we worked together quite a few times over the years. Sometimes I was the flute soloist, and a few times I was part of an ensemble for a festival service.

Whenever I worked with N., it was a pleasure for me. I give N. credit for that. Not only is she a talented musician, she is also a patient and kind person whose style of directing people encourages them to do their best. She doesn't bother with any diva-like behavior; she never needed it to get her points across.

It will be hard for anyone to follow her into the job. Notice I do not say, "replace," since that would be impossible.

I wish N. all the best in her retirement, and hope that she has many good memories of her tenure working with the congregation.

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