272nd Reflection💬

“The Lord is omnipresent, believe it❓”

If you do, seek His help everywhere.

……

07/03/2023 (Tue) 12:00

I mentioned to my teacher the Alumni Ensemble Scheme.

I said, “For the Alumni Ensemble Scheme, I’ve started a WhatsApp community, inviting interested schoolmates to join.

Teacher said, “Good.”

I said, “But I can find no one into the Composer Group.”

Teacher said, “Normal, composing is always the toughest task.”

I said, “But the group doesn’t work with me the only composer. Composers are the leaders.”

Teacher said, “No way out.”

I said, “There is one. Last Sunday, one of my schoolmates suggested arrangers to be the leaders as well.”

Teacher said, “Feasible."

I said, “I’ve drafted some terms concerning music arrangement. May I have your comments on it?”

Teacher said, “Read it to me.”

I said, “I wrote, the arranger is only allowed to arrange music whose composer has passed away at least 50 years to prevent any infringement of copyrights.”

Teacher said, “Not good.”

I said, “Why?”

Teacher said, “At least 100 years of music have been given up.” 

I said, “100 years?”

Teacher said, “Yes, living for 50 years, passing away for 50 years. That amounts to 100 years.”

I said, “Right. So what to do?”

Teacher said, “Is there any piece you’d currently like to arrange?”

I said, “Jingo.”

Teacher said, “Who is the composer?”

I said, “Christopher Norton. He’s still alive.”

Teacher said, “Ask him for the copyright.”

I said, “How? I don’t even know where he lives.”

Teacher said, “Go to his Facebook and look for his email there.”

I said, “How could I?”

Teacher said, “Ho.”

I visited Christopher Norton’s Facebook and had a search.”

I said, “I found it.”

Teacher said, “Send him an email and ask him for the copyright.”

I said, “He won’t reply, will he?”

Teacher said, “Write.”

I said, “OK. What to write?”

Teacher showed me the way.

I completed the writing and send the email.”

…….

07/03/2023 (Tue) 17:11 Email Account

On my smartphone screen popped up a notice.

Another me said, “Check email.”

I opened my mailbox.

The message wrote, “Permission granted. If you can, let me hear what you’ve done with it. Very best wishes, Christopher Norton.”

Another me said, “Do it again.”

I said, “Permission granted. If you can, let me hear what you’ve done with it. Very best wishes, Christopher Norton.”

Another me said, “Christopher Norton?”

I said, “Yes.”

Another me said, “Who would have believed what had been heard?”

I said, “He didn’t talk. He wrote.”

Another me said, “You always talk back. Norton’s is one of the exam pieces in ABRSM Grade 8 piano. Such a brilliant American composer as he is, will he answer you? Do you know who you are?”

I said, “Why don’t I know who I am? Now even Norton knows who I am.”

Another me said, “How would Norton know you?”

I said, “I introduce myself to him in the email. There he knows me.”

Another me said, “How did you introduce yourself? You told him you are such a fool that is still struggling in Grade 8 practical exam in 2023 even though you started the piano as early as 2005?”

I said, “I told him I am a 2nd year student of diploma in music composition of Hong Kong International Institute of Music.”

Another me said, “You fool, you should be ashamed of yourself! Without the Lord, would Norton still have answered you?”

I said, “I think I’m quite smart.”

Another me said, “You’re smart?”

I said, “Yes, My smartness lies in, my faith that the Lord is omnipresent and in Him there is always a way out. Once I got a hint, I sought help in email even to as far as America. If I hadn’t ever asked, how would Norton have answered me?”