Robert, you all had me from Flandreau!

I thought it couldn't get better than that first night. But I have to admit at every concert I thought, "THIS IS THE BEST ONE," then the next night I'd think, "THIS IS THE BEST ONE."

The contrast on the first half was so interesting and humorous at times. Hearing Romeo and Juliet played immediately after the Lakota Rabbit song made me laugh out loud.

But as Melvin started singing and we were moved to standing as we listened to the songs of mourning “where have you gone Swift Elk, your family is crying, I am crying” (or words close to that) I wept.

Every night, five night's in a row it happened. I could feel their voices in my heart. It never ever lessened. In fact the more familiar I became with the drum and the sound of their voices it became more and more powerful. (At Rapid City the gentleman behind me knew the words and was singing along, his companion cried, I cried more).

The contrast - the incredible players of the SDSO performed Barber's Adagio, a completely different sound yet once again the music was making it's way into my heart.

From Gym to Church these incredible artists sounded like one being. Their sound, tone, color, rhythm, heart was not affected by echoing sound systems or reverberating walls.

Robert very clearly pointed out that we were celebrating what we had in common as human beings but Ronnie pointed out just as importantly that we weren't trying to erase the uniqueness of each group.

That was said each time, but yesterday in Rapid City at the First Congregational Church, what was made clear to me was that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made.

Unique creations with the same Father. We have our creator in common. A creator who understands contrast and diversity, who uses it as a design element in the creation.

It is why we do and can make music and why we can music together.

I must mention (as an Italian and a human being) that eating together after three of the performances just made it all that much better. God bless those women and men who made all that food. How did they know how much to make? It was such a joy to eat together after all that incredible music making (and experiencing).

On the first night in Flandreau when the orchestra unexpectedly arrived at the meal filing slowly in the door one at a time, the crowd spontaneously erupted into applause for each and every one of the incredibly talented group. They deserved it.

The composers, Jeff Paul and Brent Michael Davids, WOW, I can only hope we hear this music again soon. Jeff's piece was so haunting and beautiful. The marriage of Melvin’s song and Jeff's music was perfect. Each time I was delighted to hear the instruments subtly repeat what had been vocalized. The electric guitar was perfect and then Jeff explained the inspiration for it being there and that just made it more perfect.

Every night, even after five performances, I was still surprised to find myself wanting to just get up and dance as Brent's piece was coming to a close. It did what he explained it was to do, it gently lead me into Lakota country until I suddenly realized I was fully there, surrounded by the beauty and rhythm of the Lakota and the orchestra was also a part of it.

THANK YOU, Porcupine Singers and your beautiful families for sharing you this week.

Thank you, Robert and Barry and Ronnie and David and Jeff and Brent.

Thank you, SDSO Chamber Orchestra and your families for sharing you as well. And congratulations to the SDSO Lakota Project baby, born the last day of the tour, Charli Zuzanna Fickbohm.

And thank you to all the people with vision and people who have vision AND money to support it!

ENCORE! ENCORE!

By Angela Gier