Lenny, and his driver 7th grade teacher Susan Hearn were in attendance, as was MS Girls Soccer mascot and band-dog Jackie who is catered to by Coach and Band leader John Howard and most any musician that happens by the Band Room.

Lenny--perennial Burke 7th grader

Jackie--the Band Room dog

Suspended in Time

Sometimes, as you approach a beginning, it’s appropriate to start at the end.  The Class of 2011 “graduated” last June.  We tend to think of a graduation as an abrupt and final step, distinct from what came before or what comes after.  But is that right?

The word “graduated” can mean – divided into intervals or to change gradually.  An “interval” is the time or space between two moments or states.

Through this lens graduation is less of an event than an interval connecting one important part of your life to another.  Like the mortarboards suspended in time in the picture above, graduation is a waypoint where things are momentarily at rest, a time of equilibrium and introspection where, in the blink of eye we can scan back and forward to the fleeting images of all the classes, stories, laughter, tears, games and songs that came before and to the journey that lies ahead.

It’s not so different with these last few moments before the first day of school begins.  With the warmth of summer at our backs, who knows what stories new sixth graders may write for themselves this year, or what plans the rising seniors will craft for themselves and their time after graduation, or the potential that awaits all the other students and families as the 2011-2012 school year opens.

With last year in the rear view mirror and the new year on the horizon, take advantage of this quiet interval to watch the performance of Joe Pug’s Hymn 101 by Kevin Messinger and Nora Schlang at last summer’s graduation.  Performed in a sanctuary, the song appropriately is a prayer to the actions and hopes that trailed the graduates as they walked in and those that awaited them as they left.  Or, in other words, as Kevin says in his introduction, the song’s about “movin’ around… and finding yourself…”

Thanks to Mike and Amanda Messinger for the video (Amanda makes a cameo vocal appearance!).

More graduation pics at BurkePix – click here!

http://gallery.me.com/messdukemac#100100&bgcolor=black&view=grid

….can’t mention Pi Day Assemblies without a big shout out to Stacy Smith!!!

Thanks to John Howard for another great show!  If you missed the performance, no worries – you can catch the bands next week at the Music Showcase.  Make sure you’re there, it’ll be one of the last chances to hear a stellar group of graduating Seniors, including Andrew,  Carter, Denny, Kevin, Nora, Rocio, Sam, Walker and Wylie.  You can check out a few more iPhone photos at BurkePix.  If you have more pics – be sure to send them along and we’ll post them for you.

Wylie and Walker - '11

Kevin '11

From the Mahaffies ('16)

From the Mahaffies ('16)

Run – don’t walk to get tickets to tonight’s performance of The Stephen Schwartz Project in the Burke Theater.  It’s a ton of fun, great music and great voices.  It’s an incredible opportunity to see such a high quality show in such a intimate setting.  Four thumbs up – if that’s possible.

You’ll hear great tunes from the past 40 years of Oscar and Grammy winning shows, including songs from Wicked, Pippen, Godspell, etc.  

Thanks to Cory Frank who helped bring the show to Burke.  Thanks also to new Burke friends, Joshua Morgan and Brian Sutow and Anne Kohn, founders of the amazing No Rules Theater Company, which produced and staged the show.

Tonight’s the last night – so purchase your tickets now by clicking here.