These people exhibit the true meaning of Christmas giving through their music. Though they may just be strumming out the silly little tune of “All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth,” their listener can be magically transported back to the 1949 when dad bought a new radio for the family. The musician is rewarded with approving smiles and nods and knows he has done a good job.

Several years ago a mall in Nelson, BC had inadvertently booked me to play violin when the mall was closed, excepting the grocery store and a Walmart. Playing for nobody isn’t gratifying in the first place and I had just gone through a breakup, so I was quite depressed playing jolly carols in the empty space.

I was scraping though my set halfheartedly when a middle-aged woman with a worn face and tired eyes timidly handed me a single red rose. She had been listening to me from behind a cart at the far end of the mall and said my music affected her tremendously and said, “you have no idea what this has done for me.”

She held back tears as she thanked me several times for changing her life, and then scooted off. I have never had a better audience than I did that quiet December night and am reminded of her each year when I play for the shoppers.

With a three-year-old son and over forty students I cannot volunteer as much of my time as I did in years past. I volunteer when I can and have my student groups perform, but I hope to help by encouraging other musicians and their families to give their music to the community.