On March 23, 2023 Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band and Guard (CFSOF) had the Honor of being able to share our vision of “Love and Unity” with William Penn Charter School, the fifth oldest school in America and the Oldest Quaker school in the world. In these troubling times of loss and conflict, it is important that we take the time to remember the paths that lead us, “Love and Unity” we hold close today. Though our lives may have never crossed paths without CFSOF Band Member, Anthony Parisi, and his hard work in bringing us together.
Love comes in many different forms, the saying ”Αγαπάτε αλλήλους” meaning “Love one another” in Greek is seen held high on the back wall of the Penn Charter meeting room, along with their Motto “Good Instruction is Better than Riches”. Unity is the strive to be equal no matter what background one may hold. The ideals in which they hold for their Students and Alumni is to live a life that makes a difference. They seek to follow the philosophy of the school which helps drive students to celebrate plurality of cultures and celebrate an array of voices, instilling in a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in the community and the world.
Even the brightest stars need help to shine or remember how bright they truly are. CFSOF invited the Penn Charter Symphonic Band and Choral Ensemble into their rehearsal space to share with them the musical family we have built within the LGBTQ+ community. This moment was made to inspire the students that even after their schooling ends that they can continue to make a difference in this world as their schools philosophy states. They were able to sit within our community in a room filled with music, love and hope.
CFSOF surprised the Penn Charter students at rehearsal with a musical piece that is very near and dear to them. Every year the instrumental students begin the year with a piece known as Psalm 42, composed by Samuel Hazo. The notes of the piece are as followed, “Psalm 42 is dedicated to the McCurrie family of Upper St. Claire, Pennsylvania, whose youngest son lost his battle with Deletion I 3-Q Syndrome at five years of age. Hazo, who had taught trumpet to his three older brothers, came to know and respect the family well: ‘Every time I saw Mrs. McCurrie at the school, she always had Gregory in her arms. Even as he aged, his growing body never seemed heavy to her. Watching the McCurrie family raise Greg with an unfathomable amount of challenges, and finally sharing in their grief at this funeral, provided me with the opportunity to see people whose sense of love and faith were most deserving of admiration.’ “. The ensembles have grown to love the piece because of the beautiful nature and hidden meanings they hold in their hearts. CFSOF had the honor of sharing and playing this piece with them. For the Penn Charter Seniors this was the second to last time they would play this piece with their classmates.
The air at practice was filled with music, love and unity the whole evening. After rehearsal the students ended their evening at the Pulse Memorial. There our former CFSOF President Jamie Gunning led the students through the memorial and shared the story of the 49 angels lost. The experience we all shared that evening is one CFSOF or Penn Charter will never forget.