The Gift of Music
Music can be defined as the art of combining vocal and instrumental sounds to produce beauty of form, harmony and expression. Music can have different meanings to different people and different cultures around the world. There are many unique types and styles of music. It surrounds us everywhere; from the grocery store to the doctor’s office, from the telephone as you “wait for the next representative” to the office elevator. Music is a part of normal every day life.
Two years ago, after my father passed away, my mother decided it was time to clean out the garage and in her own words “get rid of all the junk”. That was when my sister and I discovered the family treasure, two large boxes full of albums and 45’s, in perfect condition. As we sat there, reminiscing about the music, the songs, the bands and all the great times we each had when we listened to them, it occurred to me just how special music was in my life. It was one of the foundations of having a happy home. I remembered how my mom always had music playing loud as we cleaned the house every Saturday (she still does that to this day) and how my special “treat” for getting good grades was taking me to the store to buy a new 45 record. I still remember my 9th birthday and receiving my very own record player to play my own 45’s and albums on, in my own room, on my own time and all by myself if I wanted to. I was the envy of all my friends and loved it.
Everyone in my family had different tastes in music. My mom enjoyed anything from the 1960’s and 1970’s, my dad was a true 1950’s music fan and my brother and sisters enjoyed anything that was considered rock and roll. I believe that is how I became such a music fan of all types of music. I was exposed to a large variety of music. I remember listening to Elvis,...