Trailblazers and Musical Communion

"If I can see further than others, it is because I stand on the shoulders of giants" - Isaac Newton 

Although I've whined here more than once about the paltry remuneration I receive for teaching my music appreciation courses, my kvetching seems silly when I consider the ancillary benefits. I cannot honestly claim I'd do these courses for nothing, given the amount of time I devote to developing my material. But each one enriches me and further deepens my love of music. Those are both valuable gifts.

 

Last summer, when I conceptualized the course I'll be finishing tomorrow - Women of Heart and Mind: A Changing Musical Landscape - I suspected the non-musical research required might be substantial. I did not anticipate how many unfamiliar trailblazing women that research would introduce to me, each more remarkable than the next. I've included the Wikipedia link below for Jeanette Rankin - one of the women unfamiliar to me until developing this course - mostly because her story had an outsize impact on me, but I could've easily done the same for several others. Rankin and others helped shape our national conversation about women's rights. All of us are in debt to these pioneers. 

And then there are the moments of musical communion that occur in nearly every class. Two weeks ago, after session #1 concluded, a participant told me how moved she was by Woman of Heart and Mind - my course's namesake - a Joni Mitchell song from 1974's For the Roses. Turns out she had never heard the song. She went on to say that my laser focus on Joni's lyric about the way some people struggle with authenticity ("You imitate the best and the rest you memorize") had a powerful effect on her. I live for moments like this.  

Jeannette Rankin - Wikipedia    

Two Hours Well Spent

If you enjoy quiet films with little flourish, set aside two hours for The Outrun (2024). I included the Wikipedia link below to eliminate the need for me to outline too many particulars and also help you to decide if you want to invest the time. However, the plot summary therein does have a spoiler so don't read it to its end. 

I suspect the main reason this film landed with me as it did is because of how many people I've known who've done battle with alcohol and/or drugs. The struggles, rationalizing, destructive behavior, and backsliding of the main character in The Outrun - played by Saoirse Ronan - were painfully familiar to me. Have you ever known a single person who doesn't have a story of someone from their life - family member, friend, work colleague, neighbor, etc. - who has fought this fight? Everyone I've ever known has at least one story - sometimes their own - like this.

Another reason I'm comfortable recommending this sleeper without reservation is also connected to my life's experience with alcoholism and drug abuse. Numerous times, I've witnessed people close to me who have turned their lives around with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous and similar twelve-step programs. AA may not be for everyone. But any film that points people toward a solution that I've seen work many times is, to me, a film worth endorsing. Added bonuses: Exceptional acting, nearly flawless script, and unobtrusive direction. And a trip to a remote and enchanting corner of the world.  

If you end up watching The Outrun, please remember to either return here with a comment or write me an e-mail to tell me your thoughts. I'd like to extend the glow of this movie for as long as I can. 

The Outrun (film) - Wikipedia

The Last Reflection from Patstan

Abandoning ship, closing shop, skipping town. 

Farewell concert, final song, no encore.

Out of gas, out of steam, over and out.   

Throwing in the towel, raising the white flag, that's all folks. 

April Fool's!

(I was tempted to prolong this, e.g., Elvis has left the building, etc. I even considered torturing you with that annoying closing song from The Sound of Music. You owe me one.)