We owned a tent trailer that we took with us on all family vacations. I recall the first one as a rather primitive, simple structure that we pulled with our station wagon. My father would handle most of the physical work in getting camp setup and Mom would turn it into a little home for a few days. We gradually grew out of our little tent trailer and my parents eventually graduated to a very nice camper for family trips. Fishing, hiking, even a little boating, we did a little of everything when I was growing up. The sacrifices my parents made for us often come rushing back, making me miss my dad, appreciate my mom, and mostly reflect on the love of parents for their children.
One particularly meaningful event came once a year when we loaded up and headed toward Glorieta, NM. It was time for Music week and what a week it was. For one thing it was at Glorieta, arguably one of the most beautiful places I had experienced. Tall trees, cool air, fresh smells, kind people, great food, and a church sanctuary where God surely lived. The sanctuary sat over 2500 people with a ceiling that seemed to reach to the sky replete with wooden arches on the sides, a large stage area with room for 120 voice choir, large windows, comfortable pews, and a magnificence rarely experienced by a growing boy.
Publishers and those in the industry would bring their products to display including pianos, organs, instrumental music, choral music, children's music, handbell tables, robes, new hymnals, books, and youth music of all types. I recall thinking I had arrived in some sort of magical kingdom of unlimited music. And the crowning joy was a quick stop in the little cafe for a coke or a cup of ice cream! I recall seeing people sitting around sipping coffee and thinking that grownups sure did like their coffee. Now at age 55, I am that grownup.
But physical properties aside, it was the music and the sound that made the difference. Choirs of all ages, a band, an orchestra, handbells, pianos, organs, classes on composing, conducting, theory, new music, old music, children's music, adult music, and worship services that I can still hear in my head. Over 2000 people singing All Hail the Power, pianists who could play anything and organists who knew how to both lead and follow. Gifted musicians at every turn who loved the Lord and were unswervingly dedicated to Christian music and all it represented. Premiers of cantatas, choral works, instrumental music, hymn arrangements, and guest artists from all over the country including Truth, Ken Medema, David Meece, Baptist All State Choir and Band, Imperials, Gospel groups, Contemporary, and Classical musicians, the finest in the country all gathering at Glorieta for an unforgettable experience in worshiping God.
One memorable week, we performed What Is Man? by world renowned composer Ron Nelson. We used a full orchestra which included professionals from Albuquerque and accompanied the 125 voice choir. I was in 8th grade at the time and had an opportunity to perform a glorious cantata by a great composer with professional musicians. These experiences and more shaped my journey into music ministry and professional performance. From music week I became entranced with hymns, choruses, rhythm, sound, talented musicians, creativity, imagination, and being around other believers who loved the Lord and loved music. Can it be any better than that?
Gone. No more. Many reasons for this...a changing world, resources readily available, church denomination erosion, sound systems, geographical distance, publisher protection, apathy, shifting music styles, perhaps theological differences. Whatever, music week is no more. In fact, Glorieta itself is not the same. It sold for $1.00 and is now a youth outdoor type of camp and adventure center. Great for youth events but not so much for adults. The glorious sanctuary now has a zip line in the middle of it, lots of flashy lights, incredible speaker systems, and more space for moving around. The calm pond with paddle boats is now a substantial water park with slides, zip lines, and blobs. Sure, I guess it makes it more fun for youth. Below the sanctuary is a climbing wall with an area full of foam pads ready to catch the climbers. Games are everywhere and the youth seem to enjoy it all. The coffee shops are now for "fluffy" colorful drinks and the sitting areas are couches that seem to be perpetually ruffled up and dirty. All about the youth, after all that is the future.
But I miss music week greatly and am bitter at the changes that have resulted in music week being gone forever from Glorieta. Not angry over the personal loss necessarily, but mostly over the next generation of church music leaders, students, professionals, and ultimately congregations who will not benefit from the experiences and training of Glorieta Music Week. Of course there are now alternatives to music week including workshops, online videos, software training, access to skilled musicians, and a huge array of churches available to see and experience. For the diligent and motivated church musician, there are plenty of opportunities for growth. So in most ways one could argue that it is not a lost world but instead is a changed world.
Yet in spite of these arguments, I still miss the Glorieta Music Week of yesteryear.
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