About Me

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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Feelin' Groovy

Although I can read music quite well, I cannot sight read. I had always wanted to major in music, voice in particular, and had in fact matriculated at a state college in Pennsylvania for about a week with that in mind. I had not auditioned for the music department, but know that I never would have been accepted because of this failing - the inability to sight read and reproduce music the first time seen. I learn a little differently: if I can hear a piece and follow the score, I can usually reproduce the sound after hearing it twice. In playing the piano, I have to struggle through a few times before my fingers just take over. Music schools, generally, do not allow for this. This is not to say, however, that music has not remained an important part of my life. I've sung with groups like the Columbia Pro Cantare, at a few weddings, and in the frozen food section of the grocery store (again, without the blessings of my kids). I love it.

Music has the ability to change my mood instantaneously. There are pieces that immediately make me sing and dance (much to the chagrin and embarrassment of my kids) and some that bring me to tears. The themes from The Champ (Dave Grusin) and West Wing (W. G. Snuffy Smith) for instance, are captivating to me. I fantasize about conducting The Theme from the Magnificent Seven and the "Midway March" (John Williams), riding a horse across the prairie to the theme from Dallas, dancing to Paul McCarthy's "Dance Tonight" and twirling two fire batons to "Stars and Stripes Forever." Okay, maybe the last one is a bit much, but I think you get the idea.

So what does it for you? What music makes you want to go out and change the world or just jump up and down in your own?

10 comments:

Brad said...

I love to sing too. I was in choir for years. I used to actually have a good range, oh about 25 years ago. I know squat about contempory music now, but I still love the stuff I grew up on!

KathyA said...

We should definitely start a Blogger's Glee Club.

Jay said...

I have no musical talent or ability whatsoever. And, even though I enjoy listening to music a lot, I don't really get into it as much as some people.

cri said...

I want to dedicate you 2 awards.... you are great!!!! How are you???
Is it cold???
Kathy, remember this day:january 17th: it' my birthdayyyyyyyyy!!!!! I love this day!!!

KathyA said...

Thank you Cristina, for the two awards. I think you are wonderful as well.
We are all quite well, thank you, and yes it is VERY cold and will get even colder tomorrow. We do not have any snow, yet, however.
Happy Birthday to you! My brother Joseph's birthday is on the eighth of January, our wedding anniversary is on the fifteenth, your birthday is the seventeenth, the birthday of my husband is on the eighteenth, and the birthday of my brother, Michael, is on the twentieth. What a great month!

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Oh, the music I like is very eclectic and varies so much with my mood. I don't like to sing in front of anyone but Michael though. I'm too self-conscious.

Gulf Coast said...

This is the Yankee from Southern Casa, I really admire people who can listen to a tune and then start belting it out on an instrument without anything to read, I always wanted to be able to do that. My Scotch-Irish roots call to me once in awhile and tell me to pick up a bagpipe! Wife thinks I'm crazy, imagine a piper mixed in with some New Orleans

Cheryl said...

I can picture you doing all those things to music. Even the twirling fire batons!

I haven't sung in a while. Maybe forgot that was something one could do? Who knows? I don't listen to enough music. I miss walking outside while listening to my iPod. In the car it's always an audio book.

Good day!

beachgirl said...

Music is life and your right. It can change my mood in an instant also.

At the gym I love up tempo. I am pretty eclectic. From the dixie chicks singing "I don't want play nice" to anything Bruce Springstein. The beach boys.

One of my favorite songs is Halleluia. I heard Jason Castro sing it on American Idol last year and fell in love with it. So I found it on line. Great song.

I have sung all over from church choirs to the Disney Cast Choir at Epcot. Love it.

Have an awesome day.

beachgirl said...

Kathy you got the correct version. I just love it.
When I sang at Disney I would hear other cast members say they just learned to read music. I don't remember ever not reading music. My Nana taught me at the organ. So probably kindergarden. Just something I have always known. I would love to learn how to play the guitar.

Have a fun day and stay warm.