Thursday, November 13, 2008

Poem #40: Elinor Knobloch

As I've been rehearsing for next month's Christmas concerts with both my church choir and my community chorus, I've been recalling how I got into this choir business years ago, something I posted about earlier this year -- and I've been fondly recalling my first choir director, Elinor Knobloch, who now directs an angel chorus above. Below is a poem I presented to her at her retirement celebration, and a photo from a visit to Tennessee after she had moved.

(l to r: standing - husband Lowell, Elinor, and son Bruce; seated: Chuck and daughter-in-law Diana)


Elinor Knobloch

As mere notes on a page it began,
this four decade love affair with music and a family.
The new lady choir director arrived, recruited,
and patiently, lovingly taught
a dozen adolescents to sing
in the church’s neophyte choir.
Cacophony resolved into melody
and then became harmony,
not overnight, but with hard work,
producing glorious praise.

As mere notes on a page it began,
but interspersed among the notes
were life lessons, lasting lessons,
not so much taught as demonstrated.
Lessons of love -- love of music, God, worship, others, self --
love lessons taught at rehearsals and away,
at game nights, parties, picnics,
around campfire and kitchen table,
amidst softball, volleyball, croquet,
in concerts, coffee houses, plays.

As mere notes on a page it began,
but then director turned into friend and adjunct mother,
her husband became another father
and her children beloved cousins.
Her home and heart opened wide,
welcoming with sincere smile and unfeigned fervor,
ever an exemplary role model to emulate,
noble educator, extraordinary minister of music,
devout Christian, steadfast friend, enthusiastic listener,
ever accessible, ever saintly, ever involved.

As mere notes on a page it began,
but the grand symphony of Do Unto Others
scrupulously composed and flawlessly directed
by this master musician of godly life
will forever reverberate within the
hearts and minds and souls
of the countless fortunate
who have basked in her grace and talent.
Hallelujah, dear God,
and thank you, dear Elinor!

copyright 1997 by Chuck Morlock

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