Today’s helping came from a recommendation, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure if now was the right time to feature this piece. It’s a performance of “Let My Love Be Heard“, composed by Jake Runestad and performed by the Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir. As the opening credits state, it was recorded during a rehearsal following the vigil for Nohemi Gonzalez, a student at CSULB who was killed in Paris during the terrorist attacks in November 2015. Not exactly a happy video as we head into the final stretch of the holiday season. But the more I listened to it, the more I loved it. The circumstances of the recording are horrible, but the recording itself is beautiful. Which is perhaps why it resonated with me at this particular point in time.
We’re in the final week of a year that has been truly horrible for so many. And yet, despite all the devastation that 2020 has wrought, there is still beauty to be found. Perhaps there’s always something beautiful to be found, if only we look hard enough. This recording is one such something beautiful that was born out of tragedy. Personally, I find it comforting that such beauty can come from such tragedy. So for today, I’m going to close my eyes and listen to the soaring voices of this recording. I’m going to heed the words of the song and let love be heard. And I’m going to let them serve as a reminder that art can always shine a light, even when life is at its most darkest.
Suggestions for artists I should check out? Please contact me with your ideas. I hope you enjoyed your daily helping of art!
