The Art of Healing: For Tracie

She didn’t even make it through an entire song. Wandering around a Barnes and Nobles bookstore, listening to the song that was playing over the speaker system, Tracie knew she was a fan for life. But who was this group? There was something magical about the way these voices blended and wove together to create the type of music that was bringing goose bumps to her goose bumps. That’s when she first discovered the Canadian Tenors. What she didn’t know at that time, though, was just how important The Canadian Tenors’ music would become to her.

The youngest of two, Tracie is close to her family. In December 2009, her mother was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer, and dove headfirst into the world of chemotherapy and radiation. Fortunately, her mother is only one more test away from getting the all clear. Her father has been experiencing a slow decline in his health over the past few years, taking longer and longer to bounce back from any health issues. Just as her mother was recovering in late June 2010, Tracie received news she had been dreading; her father had fallen and been seriously injured.

Before she headed to the hospital, she saw her iPod out of the corner of her eye and tossed it into her bag.  Who knew how long she would have to wait while they determined just what had happened to her dad.

While she was waiting in the emergency room, she sent a text to her friend Theresia, who was the first Canadian Tenors fan she had connected with online.  In fact, they had met in person at a Canadian Tenors concert in Carefree, AZ, only a week before her dad’s accident. If that wasn’t The Tenors’ bringing people together, then what was?

While she was putting her phone back into her purse after sending the message, she felt the cool metal of her iPod and decided to pull it out. Putting the iPod on shuffle, the first song that happened to play was “Hallelujah”, by The Canadian Tenors. That melody – that tune – had the ability to bring Tracie to tears each and every time she heard it, and this was no exception.

Through the ups-and-downs of her father’s surgery, his stay in ICU, her mother’s car accident, and the stress of dealing with it all while her brother had to work out of town, Tracie somehow forgot to take care of herself. One day, she decided to put some music on in the background while trying to get some things done around her home. Needing the comfort that she always felt while listening to their music, she chose her Tenors’ playlist

For whatever reason, listening to their voices was the catalyst for Tracie to finally break down and release the fear, anxiety, and stress she had locked inside herself for the last month. Without warning, she found herself curled into a ball on the floor next to her bed, sobbing uncontrollably.

Tracie has always loved music, but no other music has ever evoked the reaction that The Canadian Tenors did on that particular day. No other artists have inspired her to want to give back somehow – to find a way to say thank you for what they have done for her.

In a sense, The Canadian Tenors have given her “herself” back. Over the past two years, she had managed to lose and keep off 70 pounds.  She was finally starting to discover a sense of worth about herself, which she had been lacking for many years.  But with the health scares that her parents had gone through, she managed to lose who she was.

Through the Tenors and their music, she has started to discover the good in life again. She’s back to being able to appreciate the joy that comes from their music. She’s excited about the prospects of being able to support the Tenors in their efforts through Voices for Bulembu. Most of all she’s grateful for the healing that The Canadian Tenors’ music has brought to her.

Tracie and her friend (and blog author), Theresia with the Canadian Tenors in Carefree, Arizona

The Art of Healing: For Corry

Your mother is someone on whom you can trust. No matter how old you get, you’ll always be your mother’s daughter. This was true for Corry. Her mother was the one she could always count on, even when her impulsive streak took over, leading her down a path that could spell trouble. Her mother was the one she depended on for so much as she faced life’s ups-and-downs. Then her mother died, and Corry lost herself.

Her grief wouldn’t end there. She would lose her father, a brother and two sisters. She would face hard times as a business owner and as a surrogate mother to her nephew. Corry humbly says that, in comparison to some others, her life hasn’t been all that hard, but she has grieved, and she has become intimately acquainted with pain.

Corry’s relationship with her nephew, Maikel began to change when he told her about a performance he had seen on Oprah. He introduced her to the Canadian Tenors, who appeared on the show in January with another Canadian, Celine Dion. As Corry describes it, she was completely in love with them at first sight! She and her nephew now had a common interest, something to enjoy together.

Just three months after they watched the Tenors’ performance on Oprah, the two, who live in the Netherlands, were off to see the Tenors perform live. Corry says she was struck by how their personalities resonate through their voices, blending together to create a magical ambiance. As of this writing, she and her nephew have seen the Tenors in concert five times and will see them an additional four more times before the year is out with tickets to shows in Philadelphia, Washington, DC, New York, and Toronto. Did I mention they live in Holland?

Corry delights in the moments she gets to talk to Clifton, Fraser, Remigio and Victor after each performance. She believes their music has brought joy back to her life, and for that reason, this successful entrepreneur is willing to do whatever she can to support the Tenors in their rise to success.

To start, Corry has organized a Canadian Tenors Fan Day, which will take place in Almere, Holland on Saturday, October 23, 2010. The event, which will be held at Het Plein, will last from 12:00 pm until 7:00 pm, and is a fundraiser to help support the Bulembu Foundation, the charity for which the Tenors are ambassadors through Voices for Bulembu. Corry has been touched by the stories she has heard of the plight the citizens of Bulembu have faced as often told by the Tenors. As she says, “We know we can’t turn back time in Bulembu, but if everybody gives just one dollar, they will overcome their crisis.”

It is her hope that as Bulembu gets back to where it belongs, as a self-sustaining community, similar projects for other towns can begin. Corry’s mission is two-fold: Help the Canadian Tenors and support the vision of restoring the town of Bulembu.

She wants to open up the world to the music of the Canadian Tenors so the world can know the joy she has experienced. More exposure and success for them means more exposure and resources for Bulembu. As more resources are made available to Bulembu, they will be able to experience greater joy in their lives as well, also, in part because of the Canadian Tenors.

"Corry Puts with Fraser Walters and Victor Micallef of the Canadian Tenors"

The Art of Healing: For Debbie

Most episodes of Oprah’s hit TV show garner a lot of conversation. But this one particular episode still has people talking, nearly a year later. It’s the one where the Canadian Tenors are surprised in the middle of their hit song, “Hallelujah” with an on-stage visit by their idol, Celine Dion. The first remark most people make is of the stunning sounds that come from the four voices that make up the Tenors. Next are of the absolutely adorable reactions, especially of Fraser and Remigio when they finally realize Celine is standing right next to them. You just can’t help but smile.

Smiles were desperately what Debbie needed as she watched that episode back in early February. She and her husband had been living the American dream as upper-middle class citizens in Boston, reaping the benefits of hard work and enjoying what they needed and at times, what they wanted. But long before the mortgage industry went bust and the recession took over the headlines on the nightly news, Debbie and her husband, who worked as a mortgage consultant at the time, found themselves in a financial bind. Her husband eventually lost his job when his company closed. The couple has since depleted their savings just to survive and cover every day expenses. While both are now employed, their combined salaries still don’t provide enough to keep them free from financial worry.

Since discovering the Canadian Tenors, Debbie says she has found great joy in times when joy has been lacking. She is thankful for the life she has with her husband, daughter and extended family, but finds herself overwhelmed, as many people are, with wondering how to make ends meet on a daily basis. The stress of a chokingly tight budget has gotten in the way of enjoying life. But she makes it a point to play one or both of the Tenors CD’s every day, knowing she’ll find a brief respite, an opportunity to relax and be carried away by the beauty of the blended voices. For a much-needed belly laugh, she returns to the Oprah episode and replays Remigio’s reaction to Celine’s surprise visit. For relaxing entertainment, she watches their PBS DVD, relishing in the camaraderie and familial interaction of the brothers with voices.

Debbie describes their music as soothing, soulful, emotional. She is especially touched by the combination of tenderness and power in Fraser’s voice, the pure emotion and handsome expression he brings to each piece he sings, Victor’s heartwarming smile, and the ability they all have to take her away from the pressure, anxiety and doubt. Debbie knows the music of the Canadian Tenors won’t change her current circumstances. But what she finds in each of their voices, their individual skills and achievements, their affable and genuine nature makes her feel at home and nourished, reminding her that her circumstances are temporary but music is everlasting.

Oh, What a Feeling

Most of my days are filled with silence. At least that has been my preference ever since I lost my connection to music after the events of 9/11, as I described in a previous post. Before my intimate encounter with terrorism, I listened to music constantly. It was part of the fabric of my being. But the numbness that greeted me that day left me wanting nothing but silence; not even music could move me anymore. If I did listen to a song on the radio, I often felt worse, knowing what I was missing and being reminded of what I once had; pure joy, passion, excitement, peace, intimacy with my Heavenly Father. I was in enough pain, so why torture myself with more. I often felt turning on the radio or popping in a CD was a useless attempt to recapture what I was certain would never return. So, in my car, which is where I usually listened to music, I drove in silence.

All of that ended when my soul was re-awakened the first time I heard the Canadian Tenors when they appeared on Oprah earlier this year. Since getting their debut and Christmas CD’s downloaded on my MP3 player, I am rarely without the sounds of music. More specifically, I am rarely without the sounds of the Tenors! At times I listen just to see if my soul is still alive, as if the emotions I experience through their voices would no longer rise to the surface. Thankfully, that has not happened!

But I mostly listen because I simply love their music and the sound of their voices. I hear something new practically every time I turn on the player. I can once again hear four-part harmonies, which always send chills down my spine. Clifton brings such a gentle strength to the ensemble through his wide vocal range. You can’t help but stand a little taller anytime he sings. Remigio’s enthusiasm is exquisitely articulated through his voice and in the strumming of his guitar on various songs. (And if you’ve never listened to any of his solo works, you’re really missing out! This guy is talented!) Victor brings romance through his operatic voicing; the kind that makes you want to grab the one you love and just let nature take over! Fraser has the most pure-sounding voice I have ever heard. He forces you to connect with the music in such a way that leaves you feeling as if you are one with him and the song. But the intimacy and emotion he exudes allows you to melt willingly. Who else can do that?

My husband and I just returned from a road trip to South Carolina to visit my parents. I brought lots of writing material and, of course, my MP3 player, intent on listening to more of the Tenors. It is about a 10-11 hour drive, and I’m certain I could have listened to them repeatedly for the duration. But I decided to spare my husband and used the earplugs. But even then, I couldn’t exactly ignore him through our entire commute. And I wouldn’t be able to use the earplugs during my leg of the drive. When I climbed behind the wheel, I chose some of my old favorites, just to pass the time. I played Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, some old gospel music, Point of Grace, and Faith Hill; songs I hadn’t heard in a long time. And I couldn’t believe what happened.

Instead of the emptiness I’d felt so much before, I felt full of life listening to these artists and their music. Instead of the dark clouds that hung over me, I felt clear skies, as if God was caressing my face with the sun. I found endless wonders in the melody and strains of the instruments. It was almost like what I had experienced the first time I heard the Canadian Tenors, albeit not as intense. It was just like before 9/11 robbed me of the sweetness, purity and innocence I felt in life and song.

I wasn’t expecting this surprise. But isn’t that how God works? Mysteriously and usually when we’re not looking. While we’re busy looking for the burning bush, He sends His love in the soft, melodious sounds through the voices of the children He created. And, oh, what a feeling.

What do you feel when you listen to music?

BONUS: Check out this sneak peak of the Canadian Tenors and their upcoming PBS special (The Canadian Tenors: Live in Toronto)

What’s Next for The Canadian Tenors?

Tonight marks the official end of the tour for the Canadian Tenors as they perform for a sold out audience in Anoka, MN. It’s hard to imagine but they’ve been to more than 70 cities throughout the Netherlands, Canada and the US, and visited almost 40 cities in more than 20 states. And that’s just what was listed on their touring schedule on their web site! There were certainly other stops along the way and they did all of that since December 1, 2009. It’s almost dizzying, isn’t it?

In the meantime, they performed for Oprah, Dr. Phil, opened the Olympics in Vancouver, and recorded a live concert for PBS, which will result in a DVD made available to the public on May 25, 2010. (You can pre-order your copy here.) They are growing in popularity on Twitter and Facebook with almost 11,000 people on their Fan Page.

And their work is not done yet. They continue to promote their upcoming DVD, The Canadian Tenors: Live at the Royal Conservatory of Music Toronto. A few additional shows have been sprinkled in here and there through the summer while Christmas concerts are already being planned. Another visit to Bulembu is on order and rumblings of studio recording time abound along with a hop across the big pond to perform at Canada Day at Trafalgar Square in London.

I don’t know about you, but I’m still dizzy! These guys deserve a rest but I wonder if they’ll get much of one.

While they’re out of the spotlight, so to speak, I think it’s time for CT fans to step up and help keep them in the spotlight. I am never surprised at the outpouring of affection toward Remigio, Victor, Clifton and Fraser and am especially inspired when I see how they have changed people’s lives through their music. I can certainly testify to the wonder of it all. Shouldn’t the rest of the world know about them?

While we may not know every single detail of their upcoming schedule, we know they’re going to be busy. How can we best support them?

• Post messages on their Facebook pages; let them hear how much you appreciate them and encourage them to hang in there.
• Invite your friends to become fans on their Facebook and MySpace pages.
• Follow them on Twitter, and invite others to do the same.
• If you have a Twitter account, start tweeting about them. (And if you’re on Twitter, let’s tweet up!)

Am I missing anything

The Canadian Tenors

? What else can we do to show our support and continue to promote them? Would you like to see a social networking site dedicated to the Tenors? I welcome your comments and feedback.

If the Canadian Tenors have made a positive impact on your life, why not return the favor?

The Canadian Tenors – Return to Music

The last nine years have been frustrating for me in many ways regarding what I witnessed on 9/11. So much was lost that day; for some the loss is unfathomable. For me I lost my sense of security, my conviction that, with time, all wounds heal and the feeling that I belong. And there is more but I can say that one of the things I lost that day is what hurts me the most: I lost music.

Music wasn’t especially a big part of my family but it was the biggest part of my life. I dreamed of performing on stage professionally for the rest of my life when I was in my youth! And even though I didn’t go on to become a Rock & Roll star, I still enjoyed performing through community theater well into adulthood. And music remained, flowing through my veins thicker than my blood. Music filled me with such peace and calm. The intricacies of every type of music and every instrument took me to the Throne Room of Heaven like nothing else could. I always felt enveloped by God’s love through the sounds of music.

And then life was interrupted. Research shows that people who are exposed to, are witness to or are the victim of a traumatic experience have those images almost seared into their memory, and as a result, many are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. A trauma is a wound; PTSD refers to a deep emotional wound. Among the many consequences is an emotional numbness which may present as a lack of interest in activities that used to be enjoyed; an emotional deadness.

My PTSD diagnoses came in 2005, four years after my 9/11 experience. I wouldn’t say that I was entirely dead emotionally but I certainly was numb. And I still am; numb to everything that once brought me great joy, including music. I listened to music constantly and only felt emptiness. The music of my favorite singers and musicians seemed to echo as it flowed flatly through my soul. Eventually, it stopped flowing altogether. I can’t even begin to describe how lonely it is to be without music. Turn it on and turn it as loud as you want, it won’t matter to me anymore. I got to the point where I though I would never find what I once had before.

And then I was introduced to The Canadian Tenors (www.canadiantenors.com). Let me preface this story by saying I am NOT an Oprah fan. But I turned on her show one day last month because my favorite singer, Celine Dion, was scheduled to appear. There was a time when Celine’s sweet, angelic voice could bring me to my knees, and even after 9/11, I still loved her voice. It just didn’t hit me like it used to. I knew she hadn’t changed; I had. So, I tuned in, and discovered the four men of The Canadian Tenors, who were under the impression they were on the show to highlight hot new acts. Instead, Oprah schemed to have Celine, their hero and inspiration as well, surprise them on stage to sing along on their hit song, “Hallelujah” (Cohen).

The instant (member) Fraser Walters opened his lips to sing, I stopped breathing. I didn’t need to breathe anymore because music streamed through my veins again and kept my heart beating through the entire song. Thinking it was a fluke; I downloaded their debut CD and have since felt emotions I haven’t felt in nearly nine years. Listening to these four amazing voices has left me smiling profusely, weeping with joy over the majestic sounds emanating from their vocal chords, striking my soul and returning me to the Throne Room as I did once before, and rejoicing in God’s handiwork. Their giftedness has allowed me to relax every inch of my body and rest, and believe me, that is not an easy task (hyper vigilance – another result of PTSD).

I wish I could say I have experienced the same emotions with other music but it hasn’t happened yet. But I am so thankful for what I have been able to feel through the music of The Canadian Tenors; so much so that I don’t ever want the feeling to end. Unfortunately, once the music stops, so do the emotions. But, wow – what a special, cherished gift I receive when I hear them sing.

Time to grab the MP3 player and return to the music.