–by Margie Doyle —
I’m indulging myself at Enzo’s with a latte and a bagel, taking my time to respond to my emails, and enjoying the nostalgic version of the Byrd’s “To Everything There Is a Season” — a time for peace I swear it’s not too late.
I first heard this song in college and the hope and possibilities spoke to the aftermath of a decade of assassinations and war in Vietnam, waged to combat the domino theory of Communist takeover of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
My dad was on his deathbed as I was protesting war and bombings. A peaceful man who was fond of meaty discussions, always respectful, I remember him relating conversations on the bus home from work about the local conscientious objector and his pleadings in court. Somehow, the words I most clearly remember him concluding his point of view was, “And that’s the law of the jungle.”
Discussions with my mother were invariably personal, and she would restrain, contain, and train my siblings and me with, “I’ll thank you to keep a civil tongue in your head.” That was usually the end of it, although sometimes she would carry on further into rants, irrationality and diatribes about injustices — on both our sides.
Fast forward 40 years to singing “To Everything There Is a Season” with the Orcas A Cappella Singers under the direction of Dennis Bonner. We saw and mourned the passing of choir members Judith Struthers, Anthony Richardson and RoseAnn Dolan those years, under the steady, heartfelt friendship and enrichment of Dennis. We hosted choirs and directors from Sweden, Slovenia and England, and we participated on festivals and workshops (ateliers) in Barcelona, Spain and Mainz, Germany. But above all, it was the music, from James Hardman to Benjamin Britten, from Appalachia to the Courts of Kings. In the beginning, we committed to performing all the songs by heart. We had accompaniment with Pam Loew on the Celtic harp, Karen Blinn on a haunting obeo and by Martin Lund on the sax.
To all the seasons with Orcas A Cappella, I’m left today with “To Everything There Is a Season,” and fond memories and lifelong appreciation.
