“Some people come into our lives, 
leave footprints on our hearts, 
and we are never the same.” 
~ Franz Schubert

He was called a titan of soothing instrumental piano music. I don’t recall exactly when I became aware of George Winston and his gift for music, but by the mid-1990s, he was one of my favorite entertainers. His music was soothing to the ears, and to the soul. Winston passed away peacefully last Sunday after a ten-year battle with cancer. He was 73 years old.

One of the first George Winston pieces I heard was his rendition of the Pachelbel Canon in D. It is one of the most popular tunes in history. I used it in class for prayer many times. I used it at home and in my car for the same reason. I recall using it for guided meditation experiences on retreats, too. It is a powerful arrangement which always reminds me of the sacredness of life and the presence of God in it.

Another of my favorite George Winston songs is Thanksgiving. This song was included on his album entitled December. The album was recorded during the fall of 1982 and released at the end of that year. Like his rendition of Canon in D, Thanksgiving was soothing, peaceful, and a true gift to those who had the opportunity to listen to it. I liked it so much that, in November 1994, when I took responsibility for the Campus Ministry Program at Saint Lawrence Academy in Santa Clara, I used Thanksgiving as a reflection song following a Scripture reading at an all-school Thanksgiving prayer service.

The prayer service was held in the parish church, prior to the 2001 renovation of the worship space. The altar, at that time, faced Saint Lawrence Drive. Those sitting in the assembly would see the ambo, from which the Scriptures would be proclaimed, on the right side of the sanctuary. To the left side of the sanctuary was the area for music ministers. The organ was situated so that the organist faced the side of the altar. A piano was placed in an “L” shape to the organ so that the pianist would be facing the assembly. And, of course, there was a sound system for when guitars and singers were used for music ministry.

The organ had a roll-down door to protect the keyboards when not in use. The piano, too, had a wooden cover to protect the keys. Prior to the students and faculty arriving in the church, I placed a CD player on top of the wooden cover of the piano. It was flat, so it provided a sturdy place for the CD player. I set a microphone in front of the speaker to project the music throughout the worship space. I cued the CD to Thanksgiving. I tested it to be sure the volume would be appropriate, and it was. I took a seat on the piano bench. When it was time to play the song, all I had to do was press “Play.”

When one of the senior students completed the Scripture reading, I waited for a moment to give her time to return to her seat. I then pressed “Play.” The music of George Winston’s Thanksgiving filled the worship space. Students and faculty seemed attentive to and appreciative of the selection. When the song ended, I was unprepared for what happened next.

The assembly broke out in thunderous applause, which then led to a standing ovation. It took me a moment to figure out what was going on. Then, it hit me. They thought I had played the piece on the piano! Many of my colleagues were shocked, because they didn’t know I played the piano. I don’t. 

For those who came to me to compliment me on the performance, I was honest with them and explained what had happened. For those who didn’t speak with me, well, I guess they just went on believing that I had a gift of which they had been unaware.

George Winston has left us a legacy of piano solos and other songs which will continue to bring peace and prayerfulness to our world.