I Didn't See It At The Time

photo © 2010 Hartwig HKD | more info (via: Wylio)

Over the past couple of weeks I've been thinking about how many little things have happened to prepare me for what I am today. I want to compile a list in order to remember these things.

My mom worked in a daycare center before I was born. The other women who worked their made a book of songs, stories, fingerplays, crafts, and activities to use with young children. My mom didn't really use this when I was growing up, but she kept it all these years, and it's becoming increasingly useful for me in my music therapy classes.

Oma (grandma) and my mom and dad had tapes of children's, international and folk songs they played in the car with me. Knowing those songs cut the work in half for my beginning guitar class. And that contributed GREATLY to my not failing my other classes.

Papa gave me a little keyboard when I was really young. The musical impact that thing made is probably immeasurable. My parents bought a beautiful Chickering upright piano when I was around 7, and the rest is history.

The techniques I learned at the ballet classes my mom and dad let me take are being put to use this semester in my modern dance class. I feel like I'm eight all over again. :)
photo © 2007 chrisna herbst | more info (via: Wylio)
Next came the guitar, at the encouragement of my parents. I have a major head start on my music therapy major peers because of that. Mwahahaha. I got to play bluegrass and celtic music with the Washburne girls on the guitar. Some amazing, really good memories there.

My parents bought me The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition dvds for my 14th birthday. That and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World lead to my fascination with movie scores, which brought me to a deeper love of classical music. That's one of the reasons why I started playing viola.


photo © 2009 mitch huang | more info (via: Wylio)

And playing the viola (thank you, Mom and Dad!) helps me in so many ways. For one thing, it is much easier to find a group to play music now. The piano is fun and a great instrument, but it's mostly used for solo performance, whereas the viola is rarely used that way. And I can tell you right now, I am definitely an ensemble person, hahaha. Orchestra is such a blast.

There is so much more, and hopefully I'll be able to connect all the dots in my mind and write about it later.

Soli Deo Gloria!