Take A Musical Leap of Faith
In Appreciation of Brave Ears and Open Hearts
When it comes to music, I think our ears can be pretty brave. But our minds can be like an overprotective parent—wanting to keep everything nice and safe. That's why I love events like Yearnings, happening November 13th, which invite us to listen beyond our comfort zones.
As our tastes develop, it’s only natural that we start narrowing our choices, sticking to what we already know we like. But if we’re lucky, every now and then we encounter something new—something we may not fully understand but that somehow moves us.
Sometimes we stumble upon it at a friend’s house or in a restaurant. Other times, we have to set out intentionally—to take an audio leap of faith.
The Yearnings concert is just such a leap, presenting faith-rooted music from five different tradition- Black Spiritual, Carnatic, Jewish, Native American, and Sufi— featuring their different styles, and languages. I confess: I don’t know most of these languages (some would say that even includes English) but I do know when I hear something expressing a deep emotional truth. This will be an evening of exceptional musicianship and heartfelt devotional music.
When someone uses music to reach toward a spirit deep within themselves, the language doesn’t matter. Can you still feel a sense of longing when it’s sung in Yiddish, Sanskrit, Punjabi, or Narragansett? I believe you can. (Just listen to Umer Piracha’s singing below.) Welcome these sounds with curiosity. Why rush to judgement?
Take a chance. I’m confident you’ll hear something that moves you—and maybe come away with a deeper sense of how music connects us all.
Get your tickets—and I’ll see you there.
^ Umer Piracha singing an excerpt from Raga No.I, a Punjabi-Sufi song of longing.
Donate to our Go Fund Me campaign
^Gloria Matlock sings Tell Them I'm A Child of God
Thursday, November 13, 7:00 PM
Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity 130 Pine St., Florence, MA
Presented by Dream Up Events, Beit Ahavah, Bombyx, and Florence Congregational Church
