What I Learned from Harry Potter

Headline:

Yes, the name says it – we’re a “girls” chorus, but we are also SO much more than that!

This past winter, I decided to read straight through all 7 books in the Harry Potter series. I had never read them all, certainly not in any order, so my knowledge of the books was largely based on the film version of each story. However, reading them in succession made a big impression, leaving me with much to ponder and many important take-away lessons.

Lesson #1 – These are NOT children’s books. Yes, the books and the movies have been marketed for a children’s/pre-teen audience, but like most classic works of literature and art, they are timeless and suitable for any age. And beyond that, they are full of serious, mature, profound and enlightening themes.

Lesson #2 – Ordinary people have extraordinary challenges and opportunities thrust upon them. Ultimately it’s not about who you are (or who you think you are), it’s about how you handle what comes your way.

Lesson #3 – Trust your friends. They often know you better than you know yourself, and they really do care and want to help.

Lesson #4 -- Appearances are almost always deceiving, and don’t really matter. Many wonderful people (and creatures) come in all kinds of unexpected packages. (And some pretty awful people come in awfully pretty packages.)

Lesson #5 – Even the best people make mistakes. Everyone fails some of the time, and even with the purest of motives, we all make choices or decisions that can be harmful to others.

Lesson #6 – Insecurity leads to an inability to truly connect with others, and therefore a desire for power and control.

Lesson #7 – It’s all about tolerance, respect, and ultimately love.

I love the fact that the Harry Potter books are ostensibly children’s literature, but are also so much more, like the music of SFGC. Yes, the name says it – we’re a “girls” chorus, but we are also SO much more than that! Our music making is serious, mature, enlightening and full of nuance and depth.

Just come to a concert and hear for yourself.