Jim and I are in Texas! Why would we travel to such a hot area this time of the year? Because we have a friend who was competing in the prestigious International Cliburn Amateur Competition taking place in Fort Worth, Texas.

We made arrangements to fly out and see our girl participate—and perhaps win the competition. After landing at DFW airport, we picked up our rental car, quickly checked into our room, changed our clothes and headed to the concert hall with little time to spare. The next set of performances were only minutes away. They had strict rules. We could not enter the hall after the playing began. There would be no distractions for the pianists. We saw her name was on the program. She would be the last of the first four, then an intermission. We settled ourselves in the rather small room with the judges stationed in the rear. It was acoustically designed perfectly with hardwood floors everywhere. The black shiny Steinway and Sons concert grand piano graced the stage.

The performances were flawless. We are novices, but we recognize good music. Each of the participants settled themselves on the piano bench before they played, making sure it was the right height and distance from the keys.

Soon, it was Colleen’s turn. We clapped heartily as her name was announced. She smiled and walked confidently to the piano.

We’d heard her selections one week earlier at a concert—a “dress rehearsal” so to speak—so were familiar with each of them. For the first round, she played Barber and Debussy, for the second round, a longer performance—and the one we heard at the contest— Beethoven, Chopin and Gottschalk. She played flawlessly rippling through the sixteenth notes as though they were nothing for her fingers. She used expression as she played, and moved her body as the melodies flowed through her finger tips. When the last song was complete, her hands remained on the keyboard until all sound had dissipated. Her numbers were complete.

It was so exciting to go out to the lobby and meet Colleen. We each hugged her and one other, and congratulated her on a wonderful performance. Later Jim and I returned to the hall for the second half. Maybe we were prejudiced that Colleen was better than the others we’d heard, but we don’t think so. They each gave a wonderful performance, but we felt Colleen put her whole being—heart and soul—into the music. Her face reflected it. Not a grimace as some did, but almost a heavenly look—as though she were playing for a bigger audience—God. And she was. She recognizes that her ability is a gift from God.

There was a whole day to wait for the results and see if she made the next cut: the semi finals. There were 72 at the beginning. The first cut left 30—the quarter finals. The semi finals were next, with 12 contestants left.

We listened carefully to the Russian accented announcer as she read off the names. Happy participants jumped up and crossed the stage when their name was called. It was down to eleven. One more chance to hear her name. It wasn’t called! We four, Nathan, Kelly, Jim and I were disappointed. Of course so was Colleen. We hugged, tried to say words that would give some comfort. But really time is what she needed.

And chocolate! We made our way to the nearest Cheesecake Factory only a block from the recital hall and ordered our decadent choice. I was the only one who didn’t order cheesecake—a hot fudge sundae. It came in a large goblet that looked like it might topple at any moment, filled with cold vanilla ice cream, and hot rich chocolate sauce sliding down the rounded vanilla mound of richness. There was whipped cream and toasted almonds topping it with an extra side of hot chocolate fudge sauce if more was needed. It was sublime and worth every calorie. We left the restaurant and strolled through the quiet downtown area of Fort Worth. The warm velvety evening air was much less oppressive than during the day. There were beautiful lighted skyscrapers, high end jewelers selling Rolex watches and the beautiful Bass Hall, where the final concert with the final six contestants would play with the orchestra.

 

 

We’ll go to that concert. Colleen won’t be playing, but that’s all right. We can hear her play most Sundays at our church worship service, where she is Director of Music, as well as other musical venues she participates in. She even played at our wedding.

We all slept in the next day, still unused to Central Time, still nursing regrets of what we wished had been, but we were moving on. That’s what you have to do after a disappointment and loss of dreams. We began making plans for the day. For dinner.

It was hot this day and after attempting to stroll through the Botanical Gardens, we decided it was much too hot for us—even in the shade, so we made a stop at the nearby Starbucks and a enjoyed a cooling Frappachino. There we met some other contestants and they commiserated with one another. I could tell they were not yet ready to give up the dream of making it, though I think Colleen was getting close. You see, she had more than this contest to look forward to. She had her family. Her husband. Her students and other musical performances in the future. She was confident in that she did her best and that the Maker of music—and of her—was pleased and that’s all that mattered.

I’m still disappointed. We both wish she’d made if further, yet to be a Quarter Finalist in an international competition is no small feat. And we are proud of her—as well as many, many others at home, too.  I am confident that God is pleased with her. She did her all in preparation. She played well. And she gave it to Him.

Colleen is such an encourager in other areas too. I thought back to a few years earlier when one lonely Sunday afternoon, I heard the phone ring…

The phone rang, and I heard Colleen’s voice inviting me to join her to hear a piano recital from a renown pianist, Richard Goode.

Sundays are difficult for me sometimes. You see, I am by myself, and the best part of Sunday to me was worshipping at church in song and hearing Pastor Paul preach a good sermon with much to think about, and fellowshipping with other believers. After church, I’d have coffee with my sweetheart, then relax in the afternoon and just be together. Now that both of my mates are gone, the Sunday afternoons often are yawningly empty. So when I was invited to go to a concert to listen to one of my favorite instruments being played, it didn’t take long for me to accept.We had a great time yesterday, in the sunny afternoon, catching up on each other’s lives. We found a parking spot not too far from the concert hall.
Colleen greeted many of her piano teaching friends, and colleagues as we walked into the hall. While we were waiting to purchase our tickets, someone asked us if we could use her extra two tickets? Could we? Of course! So with delight, we walked up the curvy stairs at Newmark Theatre, found our perfect seats and sat back to enjoy Mozart, Beethoven, and THEN, Chopin! A full half of the program was the flashy, exuberant Chopin–with two encores!

How blessed my Sunday was. A wonderful Sunday afternoon surprise!

That’s all for today. Think I’ll go outside and enjoy the very warm day. Swim and laugh at the sun.