Working 8 a.m. to Midnight...Time For A Rest!

Hi all,

Phew!  What a week!  If there's one thing to be said about creative streaks, it's that once you're in one, you can't think of anything else but working and getting it all out!   I ordered a new piece of notation software which arrived this week, and I literally have been working every spare minute getting familiar with the new features and doing some test orchestrations for my new CD.  It's fun! Maybe a little TOO fun, I think, judging from the fact I've been working so hard that I've been forgetting to do simple, basic things like eating and sleeping ;-) 

I'm excited to finally get some of my pieces transcribed.  Most of my ideas either remain in my head, or I play them directly to my keyboard without writing them down.  Although I have a degree in composition, I tend to work more with improvisation and live in-the-moment recording, than with written scores.  But, there comes a time when you want to hear some of your work played by actual live musicians...not just the synthesized kind.  Here comes the work of getting all of your ideas on to paper (or in this case, computer screen first....THEN paper).  And it really is work - very time consuming and finicky work.  But, as with anything you love, it's completely worth it when you hear the end result of that melody that once only existed in your thoughts being sung out by a cello or a violin.

It's been an intense week, work wise.  I did take a three hour "break" today, though, to prepare my house for the Sabbath.  It's a routine I've come to treasure.  On Thursday nights, I finish all of my housework for the week -- I do laundry, wash any dishes left undone, clean the bathrooms, vaccuum if necessary, tidy any messes...the works.   You might say, "how can you treasure doing housework?"  Well, firstly, although housework might seem mundane, when combined with music or prayer, it can be a time to really talk to God. Sometimes if I'm feeling blah, I'll put on a praise CD and my mood instantly changes, and the tasks pass quickly.  Secondly, as I'm going about my Thursday routine, I am anticipating the end of another long work week (just like this week).  With the Sabbath comes a day to rest, setting aside the cares of the world, and to just enjoy Abba, His people, His creation, and His rest.  A day to remember that I am NOT in control, as much as we humans like to think we are in control.  HE is my provider; I am not.  HE is my sustainer; I am not.  HE is my shelter; this house is not.  Therefore, the thought of coming home on Friday evening to a spotless tidy house, knowing I can just relax and bask in the next 24 hours of freedom, is a truly peaceful one indeed, and it motivates me to work extra hard for that last burst on Thursday night. What a blessing the Sabbath is -- not a burden at all!  Made for man; for our joy, peace and benefit.  All of God's commands are liberating and freeing.  The more I discover about His ways, the more I have to thank Him that His ways are not our ways.  The world run according to man's ways reaps what we see today -- workaholism, strife, idolatry, broken homes, exhaustion.  Life run according to God's ways brings love, joy, peace and all of the other fruits of His Spirit. 

Anyway, I am beginning to babble as it is late at night and I am greatly sleep deprived due to my creative burst this week.  I'll bid you adieu for now! 

Shabbat Shalom (peaceful Sabbath!  Almost!)

From her nice clean home,
Melissa

Below is a short video of a well-known Hebrew song, Shalom Aleichem, which I set to some photos and video I have taken over the years in Canada, the U.S.A. and Israel.  "From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, Adonai's name is to be praised." Psalm 113:3

Blog Changes and Additions

Hi all,

I apologize if my blog goes a bit wacky from time to time in the next few days. I am adding some stand alone pages (see the tabs on the top of the blog, under the header bar). These pages will give you information about me, my vision, projects, and testimonials about my music. Essentially, this is information that I planned to include on my website, but I'm finding that I just haven't had the time to finish my website!  Too many things to do, too little time.  Moreover, in the time since I registered my domain name, Blogger has improved its functionality to include things that I would have had to do manually on my website.  This might actually eliminate the need to create a separate website, until such time as I need to use features like e-commerce, etc.  I have found that authoring my own site from scratch is just too time consuming for updates and changes (not to mention manually checking links, HTML code, etc.).  Blogs are just so much easier to keep current than a website that's designed manually, and if I can't keep a website current, there's not much point in having one!  So, in the end, I may just have my web address link back to this blog.  When all is said and done, I don't want to be spending more time trying to keep a website current than I spend actually composing, playing and recording!  And right now, I have to say that I am spending more time with technical things than with music -- so enough is enough!  In the next weeks, if I find that it's more efficient just to use this blog as my main portal of communication, that's what I'm going to do.

I'm also going to be fiddling with the design/layout of this blog, so if you notice anything that looks weird, hang in there -- I'll have it fixed soon!

Thanks for your patience!
Melissa

Of Sore Thumbs and Silenced Instruments

Dear Friends,

About three weeks ago, a minor road block was thrown into the midst of my path of productivity.  I was cooking dinner for myself on a Monday night, and in one of those unexpected slips of the hand, I sliced deep into my left thumb with my brand new (and very sharp, I might add) chef's knife.  Although I had hoped to avoid stitches, the wound would not stop bleeding, neither at home, nor in the emergency room, and therefore the doctor decided it would be best to suture it.  My first experience with laceration repair was not the most pleasant experience of my life to be certain (who knew three local injections of lidocaine in the thumb could be so painful!), but I survived. Then began the slow process of swelling, pain, and eventual healing.  As I have not been able to use my thumb for three weeks, I have thus not been able to do much playing on my instruments, or much of anything requiring this miraculous digit's expertise.  So, yet another delay.   We really take for granted little things like thumbs!  May I never again forget to give thanks for small miracles like being able to grasp a hairbrush or squeeze a tube of toothpaste. I am seeing progress, as tonight I played my piano for an hour (slowly and softly, mind you). I am hoping that in a couple of weeks my left hand will return to its regular nimble state!

In the meantime, I am getting some ideas for the upcoming recording and my excitement level is beginning to rise!  I'm looking forward to arranging some older pieces, and also, with heaven's inspiration, creating some new ones - all unified around a central theme that I will keep quiet for now.  We all need SOME surprises in life, don't we?

Until next time,

Melissa :)

Faith in Hard Times

Hi friends,

It's been a while since I've posted.  I took a bit of a hiatus from being online while I had some family visiting, and that was a nice reprieve.  I've also had a couple of other situations crop up lately that have interefered with me finishing my website, but I really hope to have something up shortly.

From the talks and e-mail discussions I have had with friends recently, it seems as if I can pull out one common thread:  almost everyone is enduring some kind of testing of their faith right now.  Whether it be health trials, job loss, relationship stress, or something else, it is almost as if everyone I know is going through the wringer in some aspect of their lives!  I'm trying to hang on to the scripture that says that the testing of our faith produces perseverance.  Sometimes, on the contrary, it seems as if testing of the faith produces perplexity and pain, rather than patience and perseverance.  But obviously, it's our choice of response to the testing that produces the fruit.  I pray for all of my brothers and sisters who are enduring fiery trials.  May your faith come forth as precious gold in the sight of the Lord.

I was reminded of a poem I wrote a few years ago, when enduring such a time of sadness and pain.  I hope it blesses someone.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Teach Me to Sing
April 21, 2007 – Upon observing a house finch in my tree


Upon thee I gaze, my ethereal winged friend
Whose emancipated singing knows not an end

Whose sweet melodious tones now impart
A balm of comfort to my downtrodden heart

Thy warbling reflects love eternal, divine
A song to thy Creator, who dwells not in time

Blissful contentment in thy voice do I hear
A heart bounding with mirth, and free from all fear

For thou knowest, assured, that thou hast not a need
While thy Father, in diligence, thy mouth He will feed

In peaceful security thy feathers may rest
In His capable hands, thou buildest thy nest

Sweet ballad of joy, o so rich, o so pure
Unfolds such a trust, o so steady, so sure

That though the north wind carry tempest or rain
Without falter, the south wind shall soon blow again

Thy fair rosy colour is imbued with warm glow
For the Son on thee shineth, His care thou dost know

Dear friend, upon whom my eyes are now fixed
While my soul lieth valley and shadow betwixt

May my spirit, from thine innocence, wisdom now glean
Through thy beauty and simplicity, my Saviour be seen

May my heart learn the notes of thy glorious song
Then join in thy praise, and for eternity long

Where like thee I’ll fly on the wings of the wind
Forever be freed from the sadness and sin

That oft dampen, and keep this royal songbird from flight
Stealing her joy, and her songs in the night

Like thine air, free of striving, struggle and sorrow
May my heart never faint at the thought of tomorrow

But rather, like thee, full of freedom and grace
Today, in this moment, see His glorious face.

-Melissa Dittrich

Shout for Joy

Good evening all,

I thought I'd make mention of a new video clip that I've uploaded to my YouTube site.

My friends and I had the awesome privilege of leading a time of corporate worship this past weekend at the Calgary Dream Centre. Several Messianic congregations from across Alberta, as well as a representation from the Calgary Christian community, joined together for a night of exuberant praise and worship in celebration of the feast of Shavuot (Pentecost). The whole evening was charged with joy and celebration. It was a very special time. To see young and old from many different cultures and backgrounds, all joined together in praise and dance before the Lord was so touching. What a foretaste of what is to come when all nations, tribes and tongues stand before the throne and glorify the Lamb together!

Hope you enjoy this clip.

The Fragrance of Spring

Hi Friends,

Spring has finally arrived in my fair city, and I couldn't be happier about the fact. After a barrage of snowstorms in April and early May, the present weather seems all the more wonderful. The apple trees and cherry bushes are now in full bloom and are filling the city with a fragrance delicately sweet and refreshing, both to the senses and to the soul.

Spring is the season of new life. Everything that lay dormant, bare and frozen, miraculously transforms into greenery, blooms and buds. It reminds me of what God desires us to have: life, and life abundantly (John 10:10). And what is life, but to know HIM -- our creator, our shepherd, our Abba Father. He wants us to know His nearness, like the warmth of the afternoon sun upon the face. He desires that we join with the songs of the joyful assembly of angels and saints gathered around the throne, just as the red-winged blackbirds, robins and house finches chime in sweet and ever-praising chorus outside my window. He wants to refresh us with His presence like the morning dew distilling on tender buds.

Oh Lord, how I desire YOUR life! Refresh the hearts of your saints, especially those who have been long enduring a spiritual winter, with your life-giving Spirit.

Music Therapy Stories: Part II

Heart Surgery

A few years ago, some friends and I were invited to lead worship at a conference in Calgary. Two of us from the team were being billeted by a lovely couple from the host congregation. The gentleman had been expressing to us throughout the weekend how he and his wife had been enduring a very difficult few months. They were dealing with many issues so common to life in the twenty-first century: workplace stresses, time pressures, busy schedules, and most unfortunately, some strained friendships. It had left the couple very weary in body, soul and spirit.

My fellow musician and I decided that, when the conference was over, we would take our instruments and provide a little private "concert" for this couple in their own home. So, the Sunday morning following the conference, we did just that. While the husband performed culinary magic in the kitchen (I have never tasted a better omelette), and the wife sat quietly at the dining room table, we serenaded them with a mixture of worship songs and spontaneous music. We gave it our very all - just the same as if we would have had an audience of two thousand, rather than two. It was such a blessing to see this couple "drink in" the presence of the Lord and enjoy the ministry of the music and lyrics. Tears streamed down the wife's cheeks. When breakfast was ready to eat, and we had finished playing, the husband said to us, "You have no idea what you have done. I feel like the Lord has done heart surgery."

Another one of those "eureka" moments. I was so blessed and excited to have been able to make a difference in their life. What else in life really matters, except seeing the Lord's hand move upon others in His goodness and love? Nothing material could ever compare to that.