There are many emotions surrounding this death. The first that comes to mind is that even though she was 96 years old, she was still working, she was still “our Queen” and we thought she might live for one day beyond for ever! After all, 70 years on the throne is unprecedented!
Whether you are a royal watcher or not, if you saw anything of the 10 days of mourning, leading up to the state funeral, you will have noticed the integral role that music played in the celebrations of life and the institution of the new King, who, by the way, has waited 70 years for his first job!
Each pipe organ had its own distinct sound.
All the bagpipe players had their own signature sound.
Each royal band had its own distinct sound.
Around the Commonwealth, where folklore and oral tradition are still alive and well, the story of the day was: “All over London, how the people dem cry, when they heard the news that Queen Elizabeth die”. Or whether you listened to the choirs in England, Ireland, Wales, or Scotland, you heard excellence in music on many different levels, all singing the praises of the Queen and giving her a royal send-off.
Whichever you heard, whichever was your personal preference, the fact remains – music was central to all. It has been that way since time began and will remain that way until time gives way to eternity. And even when we no longer use time as a means of counting off days, but we are basking in eternity, by all accounts we will still have music!
All my life, I was made to believe that studying music was a waste of time and energy, and money, because it will never pay the bills. You will never be able to live off of fine arts! Well, the critics and naysayers are only partially right. They certainly have tried to knock music out of schools, but my music teaching career put all three of my children through college. Just saying!
The Lightbourne Group 