Music and Family

     I know I am very late to this blog, but life happens and we just have to keep on going! We all have our own unique view and history with music. It plays many roles in our lives, for some its a career, for some its therapeutic, and for some they would rather drink vinegar than listen to any tune. I really hope that doesn't apply to anyone reading this. All that being said, its important to ask and continue to learn about peoples relationship with music. Today I had an amazing conversation with one of my inspirations, who just so happens to be my mother, and here is what went down:



Me- "What is your first memory of music?"


Mom- "First memory of music? Church... my first memory is of the worship music and the choirs. Two of my aunts and cousins sang and I can remember always being around family members singing all the time."

Me- "Did you have a music education growing up? How was it? How many years did you have music classes/lessons?"

Mom- "Oh my gosh! I did! In high school I took voice lessons from Winthrop for three years, then in college I took voice lessons, piano, and pedagogy classes. I was on the track to be a music teacher but I decided I wanted to switch to elementary ed, my passion for music still stuck with me though."

Me- "What role does music play in your life now? Is it any different from when you were younger?"

Mom- "When I was younger I wanted to perform and for me thats what music was for me. Now, Music is worship to God. I am involved in music still and I sing on the praise team at church."

Me- "Who were/are your musical idols, and why?"

Mom- "Ooooo! Sandi Patty because her soprano range was similar to mine and I LOVED singing along to her songs. I also love Mariah Carey with her whistle notes, and when I was younger I could keep up cause I had training, but now I can't quite get up there after years without training. And of course I loved Celine Dion, her voice is AMAZING. Oh and also I used to always listen to Cecilia Bartoli and I would try to mimic her and empathize with her vocal techniques.

Me- "Did you have a favorite song from any of those artists or any other artists not mentioned?

Mom- "Its All Coming Back To Me Now by Celine Dion."




Me- "Have you ever performed with family members?"

Mom-"I love singing with my cousins. It's just very comfortable and we compliment each other very well. We usually just sing together at funerals though so it's kinda depressing...."

Me- "Is there anyone in the world that you would like to sing with?"

Mom-"Yes! My dream is to sing with you, but you never want to!" (imagine her with a sassy tone and rolling her eyes) 

Me- "Have you been to any concerts and do you have a favorite song/performance from any of them?"

Mom- "Yes, when I was a teenager I saw Reba at Carowinds. First, Let me tell you, her performance was amazing and she cahnged her outfits so many times on stage I lost track but it was perfection. My favorite song is I'm a Survivor It is always a beacon of hope when times get tough.


Bonus- 

Mom- "Oh! I just remembered, my favorite song to sing with my brothers was Charlie Brown by the coasters. I always wanted to sing the part that goes, why is everybody picking on me? It was also my earliest childhood memory of music.




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