Few people can claim that they interweave praise to God with something as timeless and well-known as classical music. I believe that Erin Cummings did just that in her Junior Piano Recital. Although (I must confess) I am inexperienced in any forms of the art of music, Erin played in a way that captured my heart and soul and made me realize how important and exquisite music (especially classical music) is. 

After an invocation from Dr. Harding, Erin sat down at the gorgeous ebony piano and played four songs. First, she began with a song from Bach. Her fingers danced across the keys and sprang to life, playing an upbeat and sharp song that made me think of glass figurines swing dancing in a rainstorm, with each drop plinking against the figures. I could have sworn stars bounced from her fingertips each time she pressed another key. 

Next, she played a piece by Shostakovich. This one kept a certain sparkle like the last, but the tune slowed and Erin seemed to ground the song in a deeper, more mature tempo. It called to my mind an image of someone on a walk through a somber forest as light filtered through the leaves and birds called out to the traveler. Then, she played a piece by Brahms, which descended further into a sober yet strong melody and as she played, she bent her head over the piano as if pleading with the instrument and pouring out her heart and soul to it.

Finally, she ended with a piece by Beethoven. This song married the previous tones of the pieces and brought the sober, melancholy melody into a crescendo of explosive joy. She finished the music and enjoyed a standing ovation for the culmination of all of her hard work, practice, and experience that the audience was all too happy to lavish over her. 

The next day I had the opportunity to get a mealswap lunch with Erin and ask her how she felt about her performance. She gave me a big smile, and replied, “I felt like it was a strong performance and I sought to glorify God in it. I had a fun time and really enjoyed myself, and I didn’t pick it apart like I tend to.” 

I asked her why she took that mindset, and she answered: “Artistry does not have to be about perfection. It can be just as important when people have a fun time and enjoy it.”

I nodded and we munched on our sandwiches for a bit. 

“What’s your favorite piece?” I asked. She gave me an aghast look, which I didn’t blame her for, then bemoaned, “It’s kind of hard to choose since it’s like picking between my children…” She thought for a moment, then continued, “but I did really like the Shostakovich one. It’s not as big, loud, and show-stopping as the other two, but it expresses a wider range of emotions!” She gave me a grin, and added, “I call him Shosty for short.”

We laughed, and then I asked her if she had any advice for music majors, especially about recitals. She shared some advice, including, “Perform for other music majors and ask their advice, even if they are a lower grade than you.”

Erin confessed that this is how she got her second piece of advice. A friend listened to her practice her Bach piece, and said that she should “Play as though your audience had never heard this music before.” She also advised prayer is an absolute necessity, and most importantly, “The fear of man is a snare. Studying Proverbs 29:25 is what really helped me to play well.”

Not only that, but she added her gratefulness for all of the help she got, gushing, “God really blessed me by surrounding me with the people he did to help me with my recital!”

She offered deep thanks to her family, friends, fellow music majors, and music faculty at Cairn for all of their help and support that led her to succeed. I smiled, grateful to see that Erin displayed a sincere heart of praise for God and others during and outside of her recital. 

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” ~Proverbs 29:25