Laura Shuffle

Dr. Cassel

English 1201

27 January 2018

My Classical Life

I have had the privilege of growing up in a musically inclined family. My family members either play a

string instrument or sing. Some do both. As I was growing up in Ohio, I always thought, it was so cool to be raised in such a

musical family. Being raised in such a musical setting, I had my hand at playing some instruments. One may wonder what

those instruments were. First, I need to explain my family's musical abilities.

My dad, John, started playing the violin when he was five years old, and switched over to the viola when

he was 18 years old. To this day he plays both professionally. He also has won a concerto with the Dayton Philharmonic

Orchestra. At the age of 14, he started singing. He has been singing ever since. He is considered a Bass/Baritone. That

means he can sing low notes. My dad can sing different styles like Worship music, Broadway to Opera. He can also do stage

acting which has landed him some roles in plays and operas. Those roles require both singing and acting! In addition, he can

also sing opera in different languages. When he is acting it’s always entertaining to see him dressed up in his costume and

stage make up. His costumes are anything from modern day to an old era that can be colorful. When he plays his viola, he

can either sit or stand. The viola goes under his chin with a chin rest piece for comfort, but off to the side a little. When he

sings and plays he tends to make some unusual facial expressions. That just means he is focused and in the zone. My dad

looks like a big gentle giant. I have always enjoyed watching him preform and I still do.

My step-mom, Nancy, started playing the violin when she was ten years old. She really started to sing in

high school. By the time she was in college she was landing paid singing gigs. Like my dad, she started doing acting/singing

roles in plays in her 30’s. Actually, the first time they met was when they were acting in a show together. She is considered a

soprano. That means she can sing high notes. The performer can sit or stand when playing the violin too, but the only time I

see her play is at church with the worship team, and she is always standing because she is singing. She has a big smile and

blonde hair that she usually wears down. I also enjoy watching her preform. Just to point out, she did not come into the

family until I was older.

My mom, Nan, started playing the cello when she was nine years old and the piano at five years old. In

college she took some singing lessons but never pursued her voice professionally. In the summer of 1972, she spent a

summer at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and in 1977 she started playing with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO)
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and was with them for 34 years. Furthermore, she was also an orchestra music teacher in the school system for 23 years. I

had her for a teacher, but I will talk about that more at a later time. She still plays her cello here and there but not as much.

Along with being a teacher, I remember when I was younger, she gave private cello lessons to people who would come over

to the house.

For the cello the performer has to sit. She places the cello between her legs and the top part goes over the

left shoulder. For concerts my mom would dress in all black and pull up her brown hair in kind of a wrap. She likes to pull

her hair up every day anyway. She also can make some unusual facial expressions too. That is normal for professional

musicians. Some people may sway while playing. I have seen my mom teach, and she is excellent at what she teaches. Her

passion for the cello and teaching is obvious. Of course, I enjoyed watching her preform with the DPO when attending her

concerts in my younger years. My step-dad, Harold, played the saxophone in high school and college but doesn’t play it

today. I have never seen him play, but I can tell you he is a very sweet man that anyone would want to get to know.

My older brother, Henry, started playing the cello when he was eight years old. He was in Orchestra in

school. He also had my mom as an orchestra teacher. Henry does not play the cello as much anymore. Although, I believe

he inherited our dad’s singing voice. He did a lot of singing/acting roles in high school musicals. It was fun to watch him.

Like my mom, he also would sit to play the cello. My brother has short brown hair and a goofy personality. He never

pursued the cello or singing professionally.

My younger sister, Louise, started playing the cello when she was three years old. She also took some

piano lessons in elementary school, however she never pursued it. She also had our mom as an orchestra teacher. In the

summer of 2001 she went to Interlochen center for the Arts too and decided to return for her senior year of high school from

2002 to 2003. Later she obtained a Master’s degree in cello performance from Indiana University. She does not play as

much since starting a family with her husband, Ben. If you have guessed my now about the cello, you know you have to sit.

So of course she would sit to play too. I remember seeing my sister in a nice dress if she was about to give a recital. A recital

is when you play alone or with a few other instruments. She has nice straight long hair that she would either put up in a

ponytail or leave down. If she left her hair down she would make sure it was not in the way while playing.

Now what you all have been waiting for. What instruments did I play? Well, when I was 6 years old I

started playing the cello. I also took piano lessons around the same time my sister did, when I was in 4 th or 5th grade. The

only thing I remember when playing the cello is playing in a recital or two, and my mom’s friend giving me lessons. I was

so young then. Now fast forward to 5 grade where I resumed the cello again until I was a sophomore in high school. Big
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shocker... I also had my mom as an orchestra teacher. I would have to say it was pretty cool having your mom as a teacher.

Not every day one of your parents is your teacher right? It came in handy for “late passes” ha... ha...

Finally, I’m going to share with you my story of what it was like growing up in such a musically inclined

family. As I mentioned earlier, I thought it was pretty cool to grow up with a musical family. You almost feel famous in a

way. When I was younger, I remember going to watch a lot of my mom’s concerts in the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.

My sister would get dressed up and put on our nice dress coats and head downtown with my mom and step-dad. My coat

was purple and I loved it! My sister hated hers. When I became older I started babysitting for some of the parents in the

DPO. I would watch the child or children in the basement so, I still got to enjoy listening to the music. Being a daughter and

babysitter of a cellist you tend to get to know some other musicians. That made me feel important and special to be needed.

I felt like “I was in,” you know when you are accepted to a certain group or club.

I have to admit playing the cello and piano were not easy for me. The piano maybe easier than the cello. I

guess playing instruments never was my strong suit. Back then, I was still determined to learn and play. I remember when I

was taking piano lessons, people would tell me they played piano when they were younger and wished they never stopped.

Then I “thought,” yeah ok that’s too bad. Looking back at that now I did the same thing they did. I stopped playing the

piano. I can’t remember why I stopped, but school must have been busy. I do have regrets of stopping and wish I had kept

up with it. It kind of makes you think… If I just kept going and practiced, where would I be today? How good would I be?

Have you ever stopped doing something and wished you would have stayed with it? I do have to say I have had thoughts

about playing the piano again. Right now, between work and school, I’m finding it hard to continue again.

Now let’s talk about my cello playing days. Like I said before, it was not easy for me. I wasn’t horrible,

but I wasn’t good either. I think I was a freshman or sophomore in high school when I finally gave it up for good. My mom

had a talk with me about it. Although the details of that memory are vague, I do know I was bummed about quieting, but

also knew it was for the best. My mom, being a professional musician herself, knew I was struggling and encouraged me

that it was time. I knew I was struggling too. So I went ahead and stopped playing. Sometimes you give something your best

try, but it’s just not for you. I find it interesting that I’m the only one in my family that is not musically inclined. It has been

like that for years, so I’m used to it now. On the bright side, I’m the only one in my family that is not allergic to cats. I

decided to pursue my passions and talents in other areas, like working with children and learning American Sign Language.

Even though I can’t play an instrument, I’m happy with my life and what I’m doing.

Although certain skills and talents seem to run in families, these talents have to be formed and perfected.

Author Matt Keating expresses in his article “Work: Doing what comes naturally: say talent is in the genes. Matt Keating
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puts this theory to the test.” Keating, along with several others who he mentioned share the belief that the gene ability may

be inherited but in order for it to become a talent, it has to be nurtured. To test this theory, Keating decided to join a class on

how to become a comedian. Even though he tried and went through some training and learned some techniques, he realized

that he would keep his day job. As Keating states, “So it seems determination, practice and the right environment are as

important as genetic influence in excelling in a chosen pursuit.” I agree with the author on his quote, determination and

practice with the right environment play an important role with genetics for a one’s personal choice of area.

On the other hand, how do genetics solely affect musical abilities? In her article, “52: Genes Linked

Musical Ability”, writer Karen Wright looks at this issue. She goes on to examine the work of medical geneticist Irma

Jarvela. At the University of Helsinki, Jarvela along with several colleagues studied over 200 people from 15 families who

had experienced musicians. The people participated in experiments where they had to tell the difference between pitch and

duration of two tones. In the end results, Jarvela found that almost 50 percent of the people scored high. Therefore, her

theory is that the musical gene is more nature then nurture. In addition, Jarvela found that several DNA sequences seem to

connect with musical ability. She and her colleagues are now determined to find molecules that will help better understand

the evolution of music and biological effects. This experiment strongly supports the theory of nature being an important

element of developing musical ability in hereditary genes.

As a child I did try to bring out my musical genes by learning to play the cello and some piano. I feel that

the genes developed in me more in the aspect of knowledge and appreciation than the physical talent of actually playing an

instrument. I just want to point out that my “learning disability” may have been a factor. I believe that the genes in us can

become into something, just not how we think it will.

To conclude with my story, I feel that growing up with such a musical upbringing has given me a different

perspective on music, mainly classical music. I have listened to so much classical music in my life that I find it enjoyable to

listen to. I have so much respect for classical music. I can hear the beauty of the sounds the instruments make, especially the

string instruments. When we hear songs or pieces in a TV show or a movie, it’s easy for me to hear what some of those

instruments are. So even though I don’t play anymore, I can still hear and appreciate the beauty of classical music. Overall,

I love that I’m part of a family of musicians!

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Works Cited

"Work: Doing What Comes Naturally: Academics Say That Talent Is in the Genes. Matt Keating Puts

This Theory to the Test." The Guardian (London, England), 2006. EBSCOhost,

sinclair.ohionet.org:80/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=edsgin&AN=edsgcl.148515300&site=eds-live.

Wright, Karen. "52: Genes Linked Musical Ability." Discover, vol. 30, no. 1, Jan. 2009, p. 50.

EBSCOhost, sinclair.ohionet.org:80/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=39991344&site=eds-live.