Based on and inspired by the Doxology (or Old 100th), Amazing Grace, Blessings by Laura Story, and the music of Bach.
This show concept was born out of a near tragedy. In 2011, I was hospitalized for over 100 days from May-Mid September with acute pancreatitis. I endured several major surgeries and dozens of radiological procedures during my stay. Through this difficult time, our band was fortunate enough to have great leadership and offers of help from the around the region that enabled our program to keep moving forward. After my return home, my wife Jeanne and I were driving our boys home from one of their myriad weekend activities and the song “Blessings” by Laura Story came on the radio. I looked over at her during the song and noticed tears in her eyes. The song was written by Laura as her husband endured his own hospitalization for a brain tumor. Jeanne told me that my nurses would quote the lyrics to her when I was going through some tough circumstances. The song asks, “What if the trials of this life are His mercies in disguise?” After hearing the song, I told Jeanne that I thought it was beautiful and we started talking about how powerful this could be on the field in front of our great audiences. I asked Craig to write us a show that would help us depict the blessings we have in life. The opener is primarily made up of J.S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” but also weaves the familiar theme of “Amazing Grace” throughout. The ballad is Craig’s beautiful arrangement of “Blessings”. The show closes with a triumphant version of “Old Hundredth” and recaps the energy from the themes of the opener. I believe this music captures the emotion and joy that we feel as people when we count our blessings in life.
~Scott Kuhlman, Director Lee’s Summit North High School
Commissioned by the Lee’s Summit North High School Marching Band (MO)
