King's Music

​July 10, 2022
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
Recently, I was reminded of Saturday nights as I grew up in the metro complex of Titonka, Iowa. 😊 All the community gathered around to visit and shop.  Every Saturday night was like going to the county fair.  One of the weekly events, was that the high school band would perform.  The street was roped off, chairs were set up, people gathered around to hear music played into the open atmosphere.
 
Now today, every Sunday evening in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the Karl King Municipal Band performs at the iconic Oleson Park Bandshell.  No longer is the street roped off, but people do gather around the bandshell to hear the instrumentalists play.
 
Last Sunday, and before each musical arrangement, the announcer introduces each composition by Karl King.  Know that Karl King traveled with the circus and composed many scores related to the circus in the early 1900’s.  Here was one introduction.  “In the circus, the ring master asked Karl King to play whatever music fit the performance happening in the ring.  One particular act involved three clowns.  So, Karl King wrote a tune called Arabian Nights to fit their act.”
 
I had never pictured that King’s music might fit and concurrently tell a story as an act was performed.  Throughout the musical piece, I imagined three clowns doing what clowns do, juggling, spinning plates, making people laugh. 
 
When the number was over and the applause had faded away, I asked my friend if he had seen the clowns.  Here was his reply.  “You’re not quite right.” 😊
 
Sometimes, I like “not being quite right.”  It keeps people laughing and guessing as to what I might say next.  Besides, I saw the clowns and my friend did not.  So, I ask, “Who got more out of that musical score production?” 😊
 
When you read the Bible, take time to imagine the sights, the smells, the people gathered around, feel the emotions in the words you read.  You might even feel the brush of angel’s wings.  Who knows, you might even hear a talking donkey.  Check out Numbers 22!
Imagine…..
Pastor Allan      
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