We asked some musicians a simple question: How does your family share music?
My mother was a classical recitalist and teacher. Every day from circa 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. she practiced on her Steinway. She’d play scales, arpeggios, and other types of finger exercises, along with sections of pieces that she would play 20 or 30 times until she got them right. Then, she would play entire programs by memory. In the summer, when I was out of school, several times we took the train to Philadelphia, where she would attend hour-long lessons with some of the great pianists of the day. There was Jean Casedesus and Leo Ornstein.
As a young pianist, I also played sonatinas that I was learning or Bach Inventions. There was no jazz or pop music allowed at home; everything was classical music 24/7. My mother had a large clientele of students who also performed classical pieces. Except for a few of the adult men who had come home from the war in the late 1940s, who played boogie-woogie pieces learned overseas, everything was classical.
My Dad died when I was just 13. Mother told me that he also played the piano but he was hardly ever home, and in the later years, he was not well, so I never heard him perform.
Cedric Elmer
Seal Beach, California
CHECK OUT THIS FAMILY BAND MADE UP OF 44 MEMBERS
I have always played and written music, but while my kids were growing up and I was developing my business career, time constraints caused the music to take a back seat.
Now that my kids are grown, I have more time on my hands for my music world. We have made music a real family affair. We have a family owned and operated music company, Lone Willow Music LLC, and record label, Midnight Rule Records. My wife Kelly is the CFO, my son Chad is the COO, my daughter Kristen is the CCO, and I just pay the bills.
My son, Chad, and I both write and sing. I co-produced his CD The Journey that includes two songs we co-wrote. My current CD is Changes. Both of the CDs are doing well in independent music circles and receive substantial attention in popular social media circles.
Bill Abernathy
Independence, Missouri
READ ABOUT FIVE SIBLINGS UNITED IN MUSIC WITH THE LOSS OF THEIR PARENTS
I have fond memories of gathering around our family piano during the holidays and singing together. My mom and dad would take turns playing and leading the songs, while my three brothers, sister, and I sang along. (Dad always liked to make up his own hilarious lyrics to the songs!)
During our teenage years, I remember thinking that these gatherings were rather “lame” and “embarrassing.” But, my parents insisted and we still reluctantly took part.
Today, I’m so glad the tradition continued! Now, that I have small children, one of my favorite holiday events is gathering at Mom and Dad’s and sharing this family holiday tradition with them.
Natalie Graham
Chicago, Illinois
CHECK OUT THESE MUSICAL FAMILIES!
Music was a big part of our household growing up. Among my earliest memories are our dog howling along to my dad’s saxophone and dancing and singing with my mom to her 45s. All of us took music lessons at one time or another. My brothers formed a band in high school and they still play to this day, frequently performing cover tunes at local venues. My dad now plays oboe in several groups.
One of our annual holiday highlights is going to hear my dad’s wind quintet perform Christmas carols at a local coffee shop. My brother leads the songs and our whole family comes out for the gathering and to sing along.
Sarah Casey
Toronto, Ontario
