Auspicious Beginnings

How many musicians can remember the very first time they played in public?   I was in Grade 1 and the School (St. John's in London) was going to be putting on a Christmas Pageant.  Somehow the nuns (Sisters of St. Josephs) heard that I played the accordion.   Well at seven years old I really didn't play the instrument and had just started taking lessons.

I don't know how the nuns got this information about my musical "talents" but I was asked (pressured) to be part of the Christmas Pageant playing "Silent Night" along with the choir. It seemed like something I could do. At this age...who knows anything? However, I learned later that the key I knew Silent Night wasn't the key the choir would sing it. (Surprise..surprise!!)

It would have been appropriate if the choir got a test note to establish pitch.  In any case, the choir somehow started the song willy nilly in an assortment of keys. It sounded ... well.. let's just say "painful."

I struggled to find the key as the key of C was the only key I could play this piece.  (Charles Ives would have been proud of me and the choir.) We set a new standard of atonality that evening. I never did find the key which was either G flat or B, or somewhere in the cracks. (Perhaps the key of X.) 

When you are this young .. you are forgiven many things. When I look back at this auspicious night, I came to realize that at this age your size and cuteness goes a long way.  

That was my debut.

Here is my favourite Christmas Pageant story:

Little Johnny was a bit of a brat and this particular time he was being chastised by Mother Superior for fighting in the School yard at recess.

Mother Superior really tore a strip off him.  "Johnny.. you know the rules about fighting. This is very up-setting to me and the kids in your class. On top of this behaviour we are trying to get ready for the Christmas Pageant this coming Friday".

"Are you in the Christmas play?" she asked.   Johnny said, "Yes Sister, I'm in the play as Joseph".

"Well," Mother Superior continued, "we have to make an example of you."

"Please Sister" Johnny pleaded on the verge of tears. "My parents will be here and my aunt and uncle. I have to be part of the play."  "Please let me be in the play".

"Well"  Sister continued, "Okay then" she relented.... "but you're no longer Joseph. You're now the "Inn Keeper."  

"Now I want it understood" she continued,  "that you will have to be on your best behaviour from now on. You have to show me that you can get along with everyone."  "I don't want you giving anyone any problems."

"Oh thank you Sister. I won't let you down.  I'll get along with all the kids and I'll be "agreeable" and helpful and won't cause any problems."

That Friday night the Christmas Pageant began with all the usual Christmas songs, lights and other related bits of entertainment. The Nativity Scene was the highlight of the "show."

Joseph and Mary were soon seen going from location to location looking for a place to stay. The choir was singing Silent Night to set the mood of the scene. Finally Mary and Joseph stop at this Inn.  

They knocked on the door only to be greeted by the Inn Keeper.   It was Johnny. (remember him?)   "My name is Joseph" said the boy, "and this is my wife Mary. We're looking for a place to stay the night.  Can you help us out?"

Agreeable Johnny ..wanting to please,  "Sure. Come on In."

I love this story. I even told it to a priest that just stared at me. He didn't get it.  Okay.. You didn't get it either.

Come on now.. these are just anecdotes. I write them..  I don't explain them.

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