Growing Up Around Music

As a kid, I was a musical disappointment. My mother, a proud teacher, tried every pedagogical tactic–first, of course, piano lessons; later the clarinet, then the saxophone and finally a bass clarinet, hardly a lady-like choice. Then there were the Saturday young people’s concerts at Carnegie Hall under the baton of Leonard Bernstein.  At the end of the day, I was never a performer but always an appreciator. Many children don’t have access to music lessons, have never seen or heard a music performance or rankled at persistent parents who encouraged them. That is why ArtsWestchester supports financial need scholarships at places like the Music Conservatory of Westchester, Hoff-Barthelson Music School, Rye Arts Center, Lagond Music School and other arts centers in Westchester. ArtsWestchester also supports Songcatchers, a nonprofit that makes low-cost music lessons available for kids. This summer, members of the Songcatcher Concert Choir performed the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden. Lucky for them. For me, the word “choir” never fails to evoke my childhood memory of being told: “just move your lips.”