It happened several years ago. I had parked the car in the north parking lot of the Fountain Hills Library. We were walking around the corner of the library when they appeared; the life-sized sculpture of five musicians stood before me as though they were alive.

The sculpture, called “Joy of Music,” has captivated me ever since. It is a work of art that truly tells a wonderful story. I wrote a poem about how I felt and read it to the couple that had donated the piece. I remember how they reacted. It was a wonderful experience.

Each of the five musicians tells an individual story. The violin player plays with confidence. He smiles as though he is truly satisfied with his part of the music.

The bass player stands behind him, offering the needed rhythm. I could almost hear the soft rhythm of his instrument.

The flute player seems to be reaching for a high note, for she has risen up on a toe. Her expression indicates that she hears the sweet sound of her instrument.

However, it is the two children in the group that caught much of my attention.

The young boy stands in front of what might be his sister. He is holding the music and she stands behind him with outstretched hands. Her hands are turning up, as though she is singing with both her hands and voice. Both are singing with mouths open wide. They might be at the top of their voices, singing the final notes of the song.

For some reason I touched the outstretched hands of the girl. I was shocked, as her hand was the same temperature as mine. It was as though she was alive.