Music in the House
Here is an idea I
considered when my children were small. In proportion to how much music,
literature, poetry and art make up a lifestyle they will seem less like school. They will be part
of living "the educational life." This was one of my aims in teaching within a
home setting. After all, music is music. It really isn't a school subject. It
is fine to make it a school subject. But let's remember, too, that literature
is literature, poetry is poetry and art is art.
"Christian homes should
not be places where nothing but a bit of sentimental or romantic music is
heard, but places where there is the greatest variety of good music, so that
the natural talent may find the necessary spark to set it on fire." Edith
Schaeffer
I reference Edith
Schaeffer's
Hidden Art of Homemaking because to her, music is part of homemaking. I like this idea. Do you
find it interesting, too? Her music chapter is early in the book. In it she
encourages the family to listen to good music in the home, to play it together
on their musical instruments, to make a joyful noise to the Lord together, and
also to invite friends to play on their instruments with hospitality.
Six Pieces of One Composer
A rule of thumb for
putting students in touch with the music of the great classical composers is
this: Choose at least six of a
composer's pieces. Repeated listening of one composer a semester is
recommended. In this way children will get to know a composer, become familiar
with his style and recognize his signature sound. This rule of thumb leaves
room for adaptations outside a classroom. Casual listening in the car while
commuting thirty minutes to town was an adaptation of ours while living in
Oregon, Maryland, and then Maine. Music was also heard at the kitchen table
while children drew, while folding clothes, doing dishes, or resting on the
sofa with a head cold to "feel better" - or simply welcomed as a "down-time" activity on Sunday.
Dad was frequently at the
helm in introducing music in the house. One of his hobbies is listening to a
large variety, old and new. He occasionally plays old record albums and
holds the opinion that music sounds best on vinyl. Contemporary Christian music
was Dad's choice in the car to and from church. Mom might read a hymn story during
the week and teach the words of some favorites.
Along with music
appreciation, when each of our children reached the age of twelve he or she was
offered private lessons on a musical instrument. They each took hold of the
opportunity. Daily practice and all their years of prior listening helped
blossom talent – just as Edith Schaeffer claims. It plucks this mother's
heartstrings (a pun, because I cannot play an instrument) that although our
adult children, Sophia, Yolanda and Nigel, attend different churches they each
take part in Sunday worship on violin, cello, and piano.
An Interview
Today's post is an
interview with our married daughters. Sophia is married to Andrew.
Yolanda is wife to Daniel.
You are invited to visit their websites linked below. Let's talk to Yolanda. Being that she is
the second child and literary plays "second fiddle" we'll talk to her first
just to shuffle the order of things.
Yolanda,
what are your earliest memories of music in the house?
I listened
to lots of classical-style music when I was little. One early memory comes to
mind when I was feeling sad. Our hamster died. I hid inside the curtains. Dad
had on a favorite album of his called "Secret Garden" by Rolf Lovland and I remember listening to it from
my hiding spot and sympathizing with the beautiful sadness of the violin and
piano. It is a favorite of mine still today and I can see how the sad melodies
in that album have influenced some of the instrumentals I've written.
Another
memory I have is a cassette tape of classical guitar music. I don't know how
often I played that tape while I did my math, but I'm convinced it helped me to
concentrate.
What are
your early thoughts of the cello?
We had a recording of "Beauty and the Beast" that I listened to
frequently as a little girl. There is one part in particular where a cello
plays a solo line above the orchestra in sad lament. I remember thinking it was
one of the most beautiful things I'd ever heard. When I was 12, Mom asked me if I would like to learn the
cello. I said yes. All I knew was that it was different than my big sister's
violin (so it would be my own) and that I liked the sound. Little did I know
how very thankful I would be years later for my mother's suggestion.
Does this
instrument require lots of practice?
Yes. For
the first few years my upper back hurt when I practiced longer than a half
hour. Dad took me to the chiropractor. The doctor told me I had a knot in my
upper right shoulder blade area. He said it was similar to the knot a golfer
gets because both cellists and golfers work one side of their bodies more than
the other. Although my back doesn't bother me much anymore, my fingers get sore
after about two or three hours of performing, but the joy I receive and try to
give to others is definitely worth it.
How did you
like growing up playing music with your big sister?
I loved
being able to grow up playing music with Sophia. I remember the first time we
played a duet together in church. I was nervous. But since we chose a simple
hymn it went well, which gave me confidence. Recently, Sophia and I performed
for a wedding at Franklin and Marshal College in a pretty old chapel with rich
acoustics. The sound of our instruments together was lovely. We can quarrel -
just a little - when we rehearse, but when we perform our music has a special
harmony and flow. I guess it's all part of being sisters.
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| Playing for an outdoor wedding |
Has
listening to music influenced your playing?
For
Christmas one year Dad bought me a set of Jacqueline DuPre's best cello
recordings. She had a romantic influence in her interpretations that has had a
decided influenced in my own style.
Did you like
your cello teacher back in Maine?
I really
enjoyed lessons with my cello teacher Mr. Myers. He inspired me to keep
learning, enjoyed conversation and taught me many of the favorite cello pieces
I play today. What I looked forward to the most in our lessons were the duets
we played together. I try and emulate many of the same traits when I teach -
including the duets. When Daniel and I drove from our home in Pennsylvania up
to Maine on a short holiday, we bumped into Mr. Myers in a café near Bar
Harbor. Here is a photograph of us enjoying the very pleasant surprise.
I gave
all my children, at once, a penalty for an "attitude," back when you were in
your early teens. I've forgotten the offense (you were mostly good children) but I do
remember I was upset when I decreed, "No music in this house for a week."
Grounded
from music? Oooh.....that was not the penalty we wanted to receive. How the
week dragged on. But I think the next day you said the only music we were
allowed was the music we created ourselves. We didn't have much choice but to
get out the instruments.
What kind of
music do you listen to now that you are mistress of your own?
home?
I enjoy a
wide variety. Dan and I put on Glen Miller's band from the 1940s while we cook
Italian for dinner. I listen to Steven Curtis Chapman while I drive. His
"Beauty Will Rise" is uplifting. A country song, every now and then, and a good
Moody Blues tune are also enjoyed. On Youtube, I watch The Piano Guys -
contemporary favorites arranged for piano and cello. Soundtracks are frequent
choice. Howard Shore's score to "The Lord of the Rings," and Patrick Doyle's
score to "Sense and Sensibility" are often heard around in our house.
My last
question is, what music projects are in the works?
My journey
with music has brought me to composition. Although I only write in a small way,
each melody that stays with me represents another step in this journey.
Being a
Tolkien fan I enjoy the beauty of the Professor's writing and poetry. One day,
reading through the poem, "The Horse and the Rider" I took my guitar and wrote
a simple melody to fit the words. I try to capture the essence of Tolkien's
words in a way that blesses the listener.
Sophia, how did you get started?
As long as I can remember I've wanted to play the
violin. I will never forget the day Mom handed me a slip of paper with a
telephone number on it. "This is the number of a violin teacher," she said. "If
you truly want lessons you will call her." I had never called anyone other than
friends or family before and my hands shook as I punched in the number. This
proved to her how much I truly wanted to play.
You started later than most of the other students who attended the
group class yet seemed unperturbed at this.
I still chuckle when I picture myself towering above the students
in the group class - probably the only time I have ever "towered" in
my life, he,he. I don't remember feeling perturbed at being the
oldest. Perhaps this was because I was the oldest child in our family and often
the oldest in my group of friends. I was not jealous of the
young violinists who were ahead of me in the Suzuki books.
Rather, I was inspired.
Many Suzuki students begin lessons at age 4 or 5. Although I was
12 I do not believe this set me back. Now, being a Suzuki teacher
myself and looking through a teacher's eyes, I've seen that what takes a 4
year-old a year to learn can be covered in a couple of weeks at age 12.
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| Sophia "towering" in the middle, 1994 "Old Fashioned Day" |
You had attended only few live concerts. What did you think of
them?
When we attend the Rockport Opera House in Maine it was
fantastic to see and hear real musicians play in person. Hearing
Vivaldi's "Four Season" by the Portland Symphony was a treat. While most of the
Opera House visits were treasured I do recall
one particular occasion I did not enjoy. A quartet
upbraided our ears with a modern atonal composition that included
startling yelps and barking sounds out of the mouths of the
musicians.
Does classical music help you keep pop music in perspective?
While I do enjoy the occasional current pop tune
the lyrics are more often raunchy than not. For my boys classical
music or the Christian radio is a more edifying option. I
like to play Bach after breakfast. Four-year-old William and I dance around the
living room while baby Joseph waves his sticky hands to
the rhythm from the safety of his high
chair. Yesterday William laid his head on my shoulder as we
swayed to a sonata. It will remain a treasured memory. It is
rare that he stays still long enough anymore.
What music did you grow up hearing?
Mother taught us about the classical composers and Christian
hymns while also enjoying John Denver. Father was known for the Moody Blues,
Bread, Enya, Andrew Lloyd Weber, The Beatles, George Gershwin, Riders in the
Sky, The Three Tenors, Silly Wizard, (Celtic), movie scores, and many others. I
had a well-rounded exposure.
Just yesterday a friend wanted to know what was the first CD I
owned. How could I forget "Mad About Violin," a Christmas gift from
Dad?
Ministering with your violin has been a special Christian part of
your life since you were a teen. What gave you the idea to start the singing
group "By the Power of His Love" in the church in Maine?
Mom got me started almost as soon I could play my first song,
using my violin to minister. It began with playing "Ash Grove" for nursing
homes, my knees shaking and hands sweating. I don't remember how I
began playing for church but I still play to this day. Playing for others has
helped develop my skill for improvisation and playing with other instruments.
 |
| The group is being silly holding all the wrong instruments. Our girls are on the far left. |
Our little church in Maine had a sweet group of home-educated
young people with varying talents. After church service the young ladies
often gathered around the piano. While Pastor's son played
we would sing. We were eventually overheard by the grown-ups and asked to sing
a special song for church. We enjoyed making music together so much
that we formed a small group. We traveldc to other churches in the area
and farther away as word-of-mouth spread. Pastor drove us in the van
as far as Canada. We ministered with a set of praise songs,
with instrumentals and personal testimonies. My fondest memory
of these concerts is when I saw a young man being accompanied out of
the sanctuary during a song. We were later told he had given his life
to Christ that night.
Before leaving Maine our group would meet together in a recording
studio built in an unlikely spot – an old chicken barn – where we made a CD – a
souvenir.
In Maine you taught 30 students. Where you live now it's a
different story isn't it?
Teaching 30 students in rural Maine was a
wonderful experience. I was one of two teachers in a 70-mile radius.
Here in crowded Baltimore, Maryland when I was first married, I tried for a job
at a music store near our one bedroom apartment. I was turned away
for my lack of a music degree. My years of experience made
little difference. Through a family connection on my husband's side, I
found a teaching position at a music school. The owner was
a divorce lawyer who had hated the job so much that he quit and
started a music school. He said I was just what he was looking for. In his
opinion a teaching degree does not necessarily make a good teacher. Of course I
respect and admire those who have worked hard for one.
With two little boys keeping me on my toes I've taken on only a
few students that come to the house. I look forward to teaching more and
playing for more weddings with my sister as the boys grow up. This is the
beauty of playing an instrument. You can use it in various ways throughout
your life in whatever stage of the journey you walk. Mom, thank you
for making me practice!
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| All the photographs of strings are taken by Sophia. |
Yolanda and Sophia, thank-you for doing the interview for my blog friends. It sets me walking down
memory lane. I enjoyed being your mommy when you were my little girls. It's
been rewarding to watch your journey through a beautiful girlhood into
womanhood.
"Happy Birthday, Sophia."
(She turns 30 today. When she was a
2-year-old I became interested in home education. My, the years do fly.)
Thanks for visiting,
Karen Andreola
. We Help Mommy can be found in the collection also.
open at my summer leisure. It is the diary of the gardener Mary Woodin.
and also The Painted Garden
.
