Roda de Choro at Sara's house

Sitting on Sara's couch
A friend at my side.
Surrounded by new friends just met.
Listening to the music flow,
rolling off the instruments,
rolling out of the hearts of
these musicians that surround me.

At the end of each song,
my friend and I would applaud,
but we two were the only audience.
And the musicians were not playing for us.
They were playing for each other.
They were playing for themselves.
After a fun passage,
they would look at each other and smile.
After a difficult piece,
they would talk about it and do it again.
Before playing a new piece, a piece unknown,
they would sing it as they read the notes.

To be part of that afternoon,
to be let into that room
of music and smiles,
and warmth and laughter.
It was a wonderful afternoon.
It transported me.
It taught me the camaraderie,
the interplay between the musicians,
the interplay between the instruments.

Clearly, this is how Choro is meant to be played
and how it is meant to be heard.

Thank you, Sara.