Pops Concert 2025

In the fall of 1977, when I started as a freshman at Biola, my dad told Mr. Lutke that I played clarinet. Mr. Lutke persistently called me until I would give him an audition and a promise to give the band a try. If I had not joined, I would never have met Jim nor would I have had the college experience I enjoyed. I made lifelong friends and was part of a community that continues to bless my life.

48 years after I started at Biola, I picked up my clarinet and tooted my own horn! Yes, I have played most of my life, taught lessons (even to the head of my PhD program at Trinity), and had the privilege of making music with others for fun and for His glory. Yesterday was the Biola Pops Concert.  Every 5 years the Alumni are invited back to play with the Symphonic Winds.

For anyone who has been on a team or played an instrument (or been in a play or sung in a choir), there is something amazing that happens as one small part joins other parts and under the direction of a conductor (et al), a beautiful and harmonious sound comes out. There is nothing like it and once again, with less ability than I once knew, I played. I played with my nephew. I played with old friends and with new. I played for those who couldn’t be there. I played for Jim. I played to prove to myself that I still could. I played with joy.

Thank you mom for making me learn to read the language of music. Thank you dad for paying for all the music lessons and for proudly telling Mr. Lutke aabout me. Thank you God for the gift of music. in the words of Eric Liddell, “when I play, I feel His pleasure.”