LAYING DOWN TRACKS

Music appreciation must have been a passive thing for me growing up. I remember that sitting still and listening were hard. Making music well was hard. And I found singing for an audience embarrassing! Yet, throughout my childhood and continuing into my teen years, when I closed my bedroom door, with record jacket and lyrics in hand, music would keep me busy for hours.

Classical music was prevalent growing up, so I think it makes sense to start there. I found that learning about the instruments in an orchestra -- how they sounded, how they were played and how they were performed alongside each other – made music more structured for me; something to be broken down into parts. Likewise, harmonizing was like figuring out a puzzle. And I enjoyed that!

These two selections are a tribute to my classical upbringings. I must have listened to them a lot since I still remember the words and in the case of Peter and the Wolf, which instruments belong to which characters.

1949 Rusty in Orchestraville

1960 Peter and the Wolf

Walt Disney’s Merriest Songs was probably the most-played children’s album we had growing up and an indication of the influence Disney had on my musical upbringing. This song was my favorite from that album. I can’t help but bounce and sing along when I listen to it.

1968 I Wan’na Be Like You

I Wan'na Be Like You Lyrics

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