To say music is my life is an understatement. I have lived and breathed music my whole life. Music encompasses all kinds of emotions, spiritual experiences, genres and opinions. Music is a universal language that ties varying cultures and faiths together. Music heals, inspires, blesses and even invokes negative feelings in people as well. I was blessed by God with a gift and talent in music. I was blessed with incredible educators, mentors and other musicians who helped me craft the gift God so generously blessed me with.
As a young adult, I faced the choice of which direction I would take my gift. Would I strive for fame and recognition or would I use my talent to bless lives and be an effective servant of God through ministry in music? My decision to humbly serve the Lord has been most rewarding. Not rewards of fame and fortune, but rewards of much more value. I love using my gifts to help people celebrate, meditate, grieve and draw them closer to God through weddings, funerals, worship and other significant life events.
Over the years, I have been fascinated by the vast and varying opinions of musical styles and genres, especially when it involves music in the church. And wow, sometimes those opinions can be quite outspoken and harsh. I am saddened when so many religious institutions and its musicians define their profile by the style of music they practice. One of the many things I love about our beloved St. Luke’s is the diversity of the people. In my opinion, diversity is healthy. It’s a strength in a large body of believers whose ultimate purpose in gathering as a congregation is to give God praise, glory and thanksgiving.
I am a classically trained musician and would not trade my education and training for anything. I love classical music spanning several centuries. Many pieces and works of classical music move me in deep and profound ways. But I am also inspired by the endless hymns of faith. I love a good old gospel hymn or a stately hymn of praise that brings to life the awesomeness of God. I also cherish the prayer hymns which offer a sense of meditation and peace. I love choral music written a century ago or composed recently. I even find joy and relaxation listening to past and current pop or jazz music or music from a Broadway musical.
The gift of diversity is variance: we might share similar tastes in music with others and we might also disagree with others’ musical desires. The enemy of diversity is disrespect. If we practice the fine art of respecting each other, regardless of personal choices in music or other areas of our lives, then the harmonic results are astounding. St. Luke’s has stayed strong for the past 129 years because it is made up of a body of people who embrace diversity and respects its heritage and embraces the new. And that is a melody that will resound to eternity. Praise be to God!
Robert Fasol, Organist & Choirmaster
