I'm fond of the "Titan" science-fiction trilogy by John Varley. There is a race of centaurs who communicate in music. They're puzzled by the human habit of playing the same piece of music over and over in what they consider a frozen form, but at the same time they go ape over some human musicians, particularly John Philip Sousa. Well, who wouldn't?
Speaking of music, I attended my uncle's memorial service in the old San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio today. Imagine my enchantment when the very beautiful harp music that was playing while mourners were being seated gave way to a fine mariachi band that led the priest up the aisle. After the service, which included some thoughtful eulogies by my uncle's son and two of his grandsons, the same mariachi band played another song and led the crowd in a procession down the street (this was in downtown San Antonio near the Alamo) to the building where the reception was being held. It was like a San Antonio version of a New Orleans funeral.
A fitting send-off for a grand paterfamilias.
4 comments:
A good funeral is hard to bring off, given the natural mourning that attends it. Still, how nice when you can have a funeral that everyone is glad to have attended, so that they leave feeling good about the life they've celebrated and the chance to spend time with family remembering their fellow.
One of the real characters at my place of worship died a few years ago, and the out-of-town family insisted on Ye Traditional Service (black crepe, music played too slow, et al.) But as everyone was leaving, the organist began playing "When the Saints go Marching In," very quietly and slowly at first. He added a variation and a stop, then another variation, and before the family realized it, the rest of us were bouncing on our toes and smiling at a jazz improv send-off that the deceased lady would have loved.
LittleRed1
I want to leave instructions that my funeral be as much fun as possible (of course I know -well, hope- that grief needs be given it's place to, but...) and memorable.
I love when the piccolos cut in in Stars and Stripes Forever. Great stuff.
The piccolos are my favorite, too!
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