Some of my earliest memories involve dancing around an area rug while my father played ragtime music on the piano. One room in our home doubled as the living room and the music room. Music was rarely being played on the radio or from a cd player. We were always making music of our own.
I am not an expert musician by any means, but I have been blessed to have music as a part of my life from a young age.
My mom plays the trumpet. My dad plays whatever instrument he can get his hands on, although he is a tuba player first, and lately seems fascinated by the ukelele.
I am in love with an instrument that stands about a foot taller than myself.
The double bass.
There is something about playing in an orchestra, feeling the vibrations of the strings dance around the room, that brings indescribable feelings of comfort to my heart.
I am not currently in an orchestra, or even practicing every day. But maybe it's because I'm the music teacher's daughter that I feel such a pull to the rhythms, to the beat, to the exhilaration of making music with a group of people. Each of us contributing our own unique line to make a beautiful score.
The togetherness of an orchestra reminds me of how the body of Christ should be. Each person playing a different instrument, some playing melody, some harmony, some holding long notes, others slurring runs . . . Each Christian using his or her unique talents, some doing the work in front of people, others working behind the scenes, some doing the steady, routine work, others running about creating new programs and ideas.
Working together . . .
Maybe that's what being a music teacher's daughter is all about after all.
- Melody Maynard