I just returned from a trip to North Carolina to see my family. My dad is nearing retirement and the story of his life is being told in film as part of a documentary. One of the focuses of the filming this past weekend was the role of music in his life and the lives of his children. While studying to be a civil engineer, he took a required music appreciation course. Up until that point in his life, music had barely played any role at all. During the class he discovered a passion for classical music. Suddenly, a young Jordanian man from a small town (one of eight children) was devouring Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and just about anything else he could find! Fast forward almost 30 years and you find me, learning to enjoy classical music at an early age. I never remember it being forced on me and I can’t even remember it being played very often at home. What I do remember is the first time I really listened to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. I was in third grade, my dad had just purchased a portable CD player (early adopter!), and I had it hooked up to my boom-box. It was the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra under Dohnanyi on the Telarc record label. What I also remember is the level of support I received from my dad when I started playing the cello. He was thrilled when I showed some ability on the instrument and made sure I had the tools I needed to succeed. Fast forward almost 20 years from then and you find me writing this story, amazed at how a music appreciation class could have such a far-reaching effect on the story of so many lives. How has your family’s musical background (or lack thereof) affected your journey in music?
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