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?