As I reflect back over my summer, I think of the unexpected benefits that my trip to Scotland has brought into my life. It is rather ironic that the harp, an ancient acoustic instrument, has propelled me into using technology. I have friends who are still amazed. They ask, “Is this the same Steve who didn’t even want to use a cell phone?” Now I’m making and editing digital recordings, writing a blog, taking digital photos and uploading them, texting, and FaceBooking.
As people learn that I have been an elementary school teacher for 23 years in public schools, they are often curious about students keeping in touch with me. The reality of teaching in an inner-city school is that I don’t have many students keeping in touch. Many of them have moved, or I have moved to a different school in my system. However, due to my FaceBook account, a few former students have contacted me. I have no personal details on my main page, so I was pretty surprised to be contacted. One former student from Jordan recently sent a message asking if I had taught at a particular school. He wasn’t sure if it was me, because I used to sport a mustache. Since he is an adult and in college, I felt I could respond. Another star pupil “just wanted to say hi”, and was smart enough to know that I would have to quietly ignore her message because she is not an adult yet. So, this new medium will help me to explore the possibilities it offers, but will also challenge me to be aware of times I need to be cautious.
I’m looking forward to the benefits of this trip that I will reap in the future. When I hear the background of a song or tune, I’ll have a much larger frame of reference for contextualizing the piece. I’ll be able to visualize a setting or understand the social structures in place. I’ll be able to understand the historical situation or geography. But, all of that is yet to be discovered. For now, I’ve got lots of digital recordings and CD’s to listen to and decisions about some new songs to learn.
I'm thankful that the Scottish Harp Society of America provided the Herbert P. MacNeil Travel Scholarship which completely covered my roundtrip airfare. Consequently, it provided the impetus for my travel to Scotland. The Mid Ohio Scottish Heritage Association provided additional funds through the Dr. Andrew Turner Memorial Scholarship. These funds helped defray the costs of private harp lessons, purchase of CD's, and the Ed Miller Tour. I'm thankful for Edna Turner's continued generosity and support of the legacy of the harp.
