Teddy Kennedy's Infectious Love Of Singing"

Teddy Kennedy’s Infectious Love Of Singing!

August 30, 2009

 

While watching the “Wake” and “Funeral” for Teddy Kennedy, I was profoundly moved by stories of his passion for singing, and the lengths to which he would go to for others to join in.  Family “sing-a-longs,” friend “sing-a-longs,” invitations for great professional singers and instrumentalists to join “his friends” for wonderful evenings of singing together.  I can just feel him “bursting into song” when prompted, or when the impulse erupted!  This just doesn’t seem like the thing “most” people do when they come together in today’s world.

 

I find that most people, even professional singers, are reluctant to “burst into song,” – for doing so is the revealing of the very soul.  (Especially when others can hear!)  Instead most resist the feeling of erupting into song, being AFRAID of ------- of what?

 

Afraid of ?   Let’s delve into this..

 

•            Afraid of “letting go” and “being seen?”

 

•            Afraid of “showing” feelings?

 

•            Afraid of “losing control?”

 

•            Afraid/terrified of feeling “freedom!”

 

•            Afraid of being criticized?  

            (After all, we are so “critical” of singers/performers)

 

•            Afraid of “where the passion might lead?”

 

•`            Afraid of our own “embarrassment”?

 

•            Afraid of what we might see in ourselves?

 

•            Afraid of what others might see?

 

•            Afraid of “making a mistake?” ----- this is a really, really big one!!!!

 

•            Afraid of “cracking” the layers of our long held “restraint?”

 

The person/singer who is willing to “burst” into song with their fullest energy “infects” those around them, especially when it is experienced over, and over, and over. It becomes the “norm” instead of the “unusual.” It is “expected” and not “shocking.”  Being/feeling free to MAKE SOUND and be heard singing is profoundly liberating!  It is a worthy and truly noble aspiration for any one of us.

 

I can just feel the enthusiasm of an evening at Duval Patrick’s home (Governor of Massachusetts) – when Teddy Kennedy surprised everyone (even his host) by inviting Brian Stokes Mitchell and an accompanist (with a keyboard) – to Governor Duval’s home after a wonderful Tanglewood concert.  I can almost see the group of dignitaries “SINGING” every song they knew well into the night.  What a special memory it must be -- for all those who were present.  Special memories all for those who were fortunate to share this passion whenever they came together with this fiery, ardent, boisterous songster!

 

Long ago I heard a  “Master Movement Teacher” say that if our government officials would dance, and dance, and dance until they were exhausted – they would then be ready to solve difficult problems and compromise accordingly.  Although this is itself another topic, I wonder if Teddy Kennedy’s boundless energy and passionate love of singing was a step in that ideal direction?