Piano stores closing across US as fewer children taking up instrument, some deterred by cost

[MuseRider]

127. The very end of 1812

when the war is over and the people come out and the church bells ring right along with the end of the cannons I cry, every time, every single time. Even when I am crouched down in front of the percussion who have just blasted loud caps into trash cans right behind my head or they shoot the Howitzers outside and we are all half deaf those church bell chimes ring and I can hardly play. Had to memorize the entire last page, lol. Do not be embarrassed, many of us on and off stage have points of no return when we shiver and weep. Music is powerful.

I cried when I saw my first Rembrandt. I was never a real true fan of this work (I appreciated it but did not know why it was considered so remarkable) until I saw one right in front of me. It took my breath away. I walked around a corner and there it was, right in front of me. I was in Russia and there was nothing to keep you back from it, it was just right there without a guard or rope or glass. Amazing.

Art is good and it is something that is part of us and becomes larger than us. I can't imagine not being moved by it. It must be a very sad and sterile life without it.