Vol 3-Issue 1
- charles marcus
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
GALVESTON COUNTY YOUTH ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCES
MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER
PAST PERFORMANCES
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS
Not Special,Just Unique
(Part 1)part 2 in next issue
Sometimes, the most casual conversations open the door to something much deeper.
It was just a simple exchange. I was talking with a woman—someone who now stands firmly behind our work at TDMEC. We were catching up, reflecting on how far the organization has come. I mentioned, offhand, that not a lot of people expected us to last this long. We’ve been growing. We’ve been expanding. We’ve been showing up—over and over again—for kids who otherwise would have been overlooked. And she looked me dead in the eye and said:
“I’ll be honest with you… I didn’t think this organization would last either.”
There wasn’t malice in her voice—just honesty. A quiet truth. She had doubted us. And I didn’t need to ask her why. The reasons didn’t matter. What did matter was the fact that she now believed. Somewhere along the line, we had shown her something real. And now, she was standing with us.
That’s what matters.
As we kept talking, she said something else—something that stayed with me long after the conversation ended. She said:
“You seem to just go get it done. You don’t talk about it for long. You just do it.”
That’s when my mind jumped to two iconic lines. Not from scripture—though the Word lives in me daily—but from stories that still carry truth in their own way. The first, from Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek fame:
“I don’t believe in the no-win scenario.”
And the second, from the wisdom of Jedi Master Yoda in Star Wars:
“Do or do not. There is no try.”
Now listen, I’m not saying I walk around quoting science fiction in every conversation—but when something aligns with truth, it sticks. Those lines? They carry weight. They speak to what I’ve come to know, not just believe:
“People will always find a way to do what they really want to do—good or evil. If someone truly wants something, they’ll find a way.”
I’ve seen it time and time again. Excuses fall away when desire kicks in. If people want to lift something up—they’ll do it. If they want to tear something down—they’ll do that too. The difference is the will. Not the resources, not the time, not the help. Just the will.
And that? That’s where the no-win scenario stops being a threat. Because once you really want it, you’ll find the way.
I’m not special.
There’s only ever been one man born on this earth that I call special. And a voice from Heaven introduced Him by saying:
“This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
The rest of us? We’re just people trying to walk in our calling.
GET INVOLVED
TDMEC Community Outreach
This past Friday, the TDMEC team brought the Instrument Petting Zoo to Lighthouse Christian Ministries’ Summer Kidz Camp—and what an incredible day it was!
Over 100 campers, many from underserved backgrounds, got to touch, try, and fall in love with real musical instruments—many for the very first time.
We’re so thankful for Miss Crystal, who coordinated the event and made us feel welcomed and valued, even through a few hiccups. Your heart made the difference.
And we couldn’t have done it without our amazing
👏 Angel
👏 Charlie
👏 Daniel
👏 David
👏 Absieria
Each of you helped spark joy and inspiration in every child who picked up an instrument.
At TDMEC, we believe music isn’t just a skill—it’s a pathway to confidence, discipline, and future success. And thanks to your support, we’re building that path for the kids who need it most.
💙 Want to help us continue this work?🎵 Donate, volunteer, or learn more at www.tdmec.org
“Empowering Underserved Kids Through the First Sounds of Success.”