The Power of Music
I remember as a child listening to my mother hum along as she worked. Whether it was in the kitchen, at her sewing machine or while she painted, there always seemed to be a tune on her mind. Many were hymns learned by heart in her childhood but she enjoyed her popular music as well. It would appear that she passed that on to my sister and me.
I could not help but notice as we were driving around Cape Breton this summer that, similar to my mother, Doreen has the habit of humming. I am guessing Doreen doesn’t even realize she is doing it but it made me happy as it reminded me of Mom. Doreen is doing that more and more- reminding me of Mom- particularly as she is now a mother herself. So many times, I hear my mothers’ voice come out of her when she is speaking to her daughter and she has almost perfected “the look”. As per always, I digress. “The look” deserves its very own post and this is about the music.
Music is a very powerful thing; the level of emotion it can evoke is amazing. I found myself at a milling frolic this summer and as I watched my niece sitting at the table with her voice raised in Gaelic song, I could not stop the tears. It brought back memories of my grandparents, my childhood, and even sitting around the kitchen table at home in North Sydney. I could not help but believe that somewhere my Popie was sitting with an enormous smile on his face.
Those feelings continued later on that week. I was putting a few things away at the cottage and could hear my niece upstairs singing some Gaelic she had learned that day at the Gaelic College. Once again, I was nearly brought to tears. There were shared maritime songs around the campfire, (thank you to our friend Bert) that brought back more memories of days gone by. Then of course the day we were dancing around the cottage to my 80s playlist. We were transported back to a time when my bangs were so high they almost alerted air traffic control!!
We also had a reunion this summer with some of our dance troupe (who 30 years ago made, what was for me, a life changing trip to Scotland) and you guessed it, music came up. A very dear friend was sharing the story of trying to explain to her daughters that we used to take the “ghetto-blaster” in to the shower room at our summer camp at the Gaelic College and blast out Michael Bolton while we got ready in the morning. Yes, you heard that right friend, Michael Bolton. In our defence, we were teenage girls in full swoon over the handsome boys in their kilts and the lyrics spoke to our youthful yearnings (BTW, I currently have Michael blasting….How am I supposed to live without you…ahh the memories...)
Music has played such an important part in my life, whether it was learning to play and sing music myself or the sheer joy I felt listening to the top 9 at 9 on CJCB Radio and getting the timing just right as I taped the songs. (Those of you of a certain age know exactly what I mean).
Learning to play music taught me discipline. It showed me that, while you may have talent, you need a willingness to always learn and practice. Even the most talented of musicians have to put work in to it. Oh, but when you put the work in the result can be ever so beautiful.
It continues to play an important role for me. I have realized that it can calm me when I am anxious and put pep in my step when I am feeling low. You play the Amy Winehouse version of “Valerie” and you best be making room because I am not going to be able to sit still. When I watch a movie, I am as taken with the soundtrack as am the story line. Think about how many great movie moments would not be the same if it were not for the music.
Thinking of the power of music, I had posed a question to Facebook friends a few months ago, “If you could listen to only one song what would it be?”. I could not answer that questions. From hummed hymns to belted out ballads to magical memories- I am thankful for the music. The soundtrack to my life is an eclectic one and I would not want it any other way.
The Gaelic College in the 1980s. A place where both of us learned to love music. We are not sure who all the pipers are in this photo, but the man in the middle was one of the best. The Late Angus J MacLellan. He was lovingly referred to as Big Angus by students that simultaneously feared and respected him!