So, here is my very first blog entry; trying to finish writing before the kids get up 
At first, I had reservations about sharing my personal feelings and innermost thoughts with the public; Not because I’m worried about how others would think of my entires, but the idea of putting my personal thoughts out there via ether is overwhelming . I still have mixed feelings about this, but my friends who are marketing gurus tell me that it’s not that bad. I trust them, and I also trust that people will see and understand (through my personal blogs) where I come from and why I do what I do.
Almost exactly 15 years ago, I lived in Germany for two and a half years as a young lad with high aspirations to become famous someday. Not sure if I have accomplished my agenda, but I know that those were the most fruitful times to help me shape what I have become. As I watched Rilling rehearse Liszt’s “Christus” from memory for the first time; I simply could not believe. After one of the Gesprächskonzerts I participated, I asked him about his memorization. He simply replied; “I try”. Frieder Bernius was in town as well. I also wanted to learn from him as much as possible. His rehearsal (not just the performance) of the Brahms Requiem with his Kammerchor was an experience I’ve never forgotten. Then of course, there was St.Matthew. Rilling conducted it during the Holy Week in 1997; my first year there. It was the most riveting, emotional, and dramatic performance I’ve ever experienced to this date.
15 years later… what changed? A LOT! I am now married, to a beautiful wife who helps me understand the artistry of string-playing (I really need to start working on second position…). We have three most adorable children in the whole world (who sometimes… maybe bit more often.. drive both of us nuts?!). I have the best day job in the world. Am I wiser, more mature? Don’t know much about that, but one thing I know for sure is that I am MUCH more appreciative of the gift given to Mankind through the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
15 years later…I’m still a young lad: although my chair keeps reminding me that I am one of the senior faculty in the department… I am forever indebted to my wife, Heejung, who encouraged me to take on this challenge. I thank the Board members for their tireless efforts and for challenging me not to take the easy route; Cynthia Vaughn, Lee Cord, David Pyle, and Dr. Howard Skinner for your infinite wisdom. Shane Miles and Matt Scott have teamed up to create the logo and the website. They are wizards in the world I’ve never dreamed of. I thank all the donors and sponsors for buying into what I’m trying to accomplish through this organization. It is the vision not to create an entertainment for the few elites, but for the mass public to experience what I experience through the music of J.S.Bach. It empowers me, strengthens me, and helps me to live through my daily lives on earth. It is a necessity, not a luxury. We need this whether we realize or not. Is this the Gospel, the Good News? It certainly feels like it. Or at least, it is a treasure I don’t want to keep it to myself.
Dang! the Word Count says I’ve written 592 words although I was advised to write only between 150-250 words. Now, it says 608…..
And so here I am, 15 years later, packing to go back to Stuttgart and getting ready to embark on a journey that will take me to places I’ve never been before. I’m in for a long haul.