Scientists often talk about the creation of the universe and sometimes describe it using the Big Bang Theory. The Big Bang is the scientific theory that the universe emerged from a tremendously dense and hot state and exploded into being about 13.7 billion years ago.  We heard the sound of creation Saturday afternoon in Okayama.

At an event entitled “The Big Big Band”, part of a three day ArtLink event, people with disabilities sat with professional musicians, all carrying some sound-making instrument. Guitars, drums, traditional Japanese instruments, trumpets, bells and kazoos began to fill the room. Jane and I soon found our selves in the midst of this energetic orchestra.

Two professional musicians instructed the eclectic mix of participants as to what would follow. Jane looked at me, I looked at her and I whispered, “I think we’re in the band.” The conductor then went around the room and had each participant make a sound with their instrument. As he approached Jane, I told her to snap her fingers when the conductor pointed at her and I made a popping sound with my finger and mouth. While we received a few laughs, the man playing the plastic water bottle may have received more.

The conductors then lead us through several exercises, such as having only the left side of the room play, then the right, then the left, now the right softly as the left played louder. All together. Just the drums. Every other person. Several participants stepped forward to conduct and gave their interpretations of how best to create sound.  The result was magical.

After an hour of many laughs and great camaraderie, we made not have created music to every one’s ears, but it was to ours.