Music and Family

The main function of music for my family is entertainment. All members of my family listened to pop music on the radio or on records, usually by themselves in their rooms, myself included. On rare occasions, such as holidays, records were played in the living room for all to hear. Music was also used as a background while doing other things. Sometimes my mother played upbeat music while doing housework, and she played Christmas music during the Christmas season while she wrapped presents.

Music also played a role in social bonding. Every summer my family got together at a “resort” in the Olympics with three other families--college friends of my parents. Every night by the campfire we all sing Kingston Trio songs. It was a time for my parents and their friends to reminisce about their younger days.

Music was used in celebrations such as weddings. Popular recorded music was played at the wedding receptions, and people often danced to it.. This was the only time music was used for dancing, with the exception of ballet lessons, which did not go well for me, though I enjoyed listening to the music.

My son and I are the only musicians in the family, out of six children and eleven grandchildren. I was on my own when I practiced piano. Music was a creative outlet for me. I enjoyed great satisfaction from learning a new piece or even improving on a scale. This experience was unique to me. No one else in my family understood this.

I consider my church to be a family also. I interact more with and am closer to many of them than I am to my relatives. Music is considered a vital part of worship. The church that I go to is Pentecostal, and the first 45 minutes of the service is devoted to worship with music. It is believed that music can open up the heavens and increase a spiritual connection with God. Songs are often repeated when they believe something spiritual is happening. Music is played in the background during corporate prayer, communion, and during intercessory prayer after the service. The music played is contemporary Christian, written by the musicians, performed with electric guitars and drums.

Another group of people that I consider a family is a close-knit group of friends of mine who are all musicians. We became friends while playing in a community orchestra. A primary reason why all of us played in the orchestra was to increase social connections. A love of music bonded us, as well as dealing with all of the shenanigans of the orchestra. We often played chamber music together outside of orchestra, for the love of the music and to just enjoy being together. Music for this family is a creative and social outlet.