Like any career field, the world of musicians contains many different types of people. It’s easy to focus on and revel in the glory of the superstars of composition or performance. That being said, equally important is the work of the average working musician – the ones who are doing the grunt work, toiling in the fields (so to speak) and bringing music directly into people’s lives. I’m talking about the music educators, the local church/synagogue musicians, the music therapists, the local choirs, bands & orchestras, whether professional or volunteer.

I’m one of these people – a church musician. We are just as much artists as the superstars, but we don’t get all the glory; a generous portion of the work we do is not fun. But while we may not often get a chance to be center stage, we do get to see regular people transformed by the work we do in a way that the superstars don’t. A superstar might release a stellar CD, but that CD can’t uplift a person the same way joining a choir can. A superstar might astound a crowd of thousands with a great performance, but I think we “lesser” musicians are far more likely to prevent a suicide. A superstar might compose a masterpiece, but often a choir takes ownership of a simpler piece which speaks to them.

Continuing with the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, here is a sacred gem by Max Janowski, who was not a superstar. Like me, he was “just” a music director at his congregation. Like me (I hope), and the millions of other “lesser” musicians throughout the world, Janowski’s work has enriched, and will continue to enrich humanity.