|
LISTENERS' BOX
April 18, 2006
|
Responses to Recent Issues
Re: "Making Music, and Making a Living"
Thank you for the article on musicians who followed other careers. I was one of those early Baby Boomers whose mother wanted a perfect child, so not only did I receive early dance training with Anna Halprin and had classical music played for me as a very young child, I received lessons in piano, violin, classical guitar, harpsichord, and voice. Unfortunately, I was terrible at all of them, although I did sing in the choirs at Temple Beth El and at Shimer College.
I was, however, perhaps thanks to piano lessons, a whiz at typing, and had a 30-year career as a legal secretary. Now retired, I enjoy attending opera, symphony, and ballet. I do not mourn for a lost career as either a musician or a dancer; in fact, I believe my early musical and dance training makes me a much more appreciative audience member, and where would musicians and dancers be without audiences?
________ Ruth C. Jacobs
This was a great article. I reverberated with the stories completely. I went to Oberlin, not getting quite as far as those in the article, discouraged by the level of excellence around me. I had a varying career as a chef, and finally a psychotherapist — all of which feel directly connected to my love of music. And what supports me in my current work? Music — certainly not performing, but enjoying, listening, being moved and called to a deeper level of experience than the "everyday."
I'm so glad you had this essay published. It was very affirming.
________ John Emmons
|
