19. How has music influenced your life, do you sing, play an instrument

or have a favorite song?

From: Philip Harris

Music has always been a great joy in my life. I enjoy most music with the exception of Rap and Heavy Metal. I like soft pop and classic country music. The oldies are the best for us oldies. When I went to South Glens Falls High School in the 6th grade, we had a music class. In order to pass the class, everyone had to sing a solo. Being from the country, I was very bashfull. With my legs trembling and in a panic I sang ,"Strolling Thru The Park One Day" The kids out of pity and the teacher gave me the loudest applause of any of the kids. I did pass the class. I have been a square dance caller for several years, but am now cutting back on calling. I have one dance to call in May and June. In Florida I call and teach twice a month at a senior park. I have enjoyed playing the harmonica since my early teens. My kids all remember "Nelly Gray." I have to go to the symphony with Wanda (don't like it) so she then will go to a blue grass concert with me. (she doesn't like it). It works out good for us.

From: Connie Olson

Well, to answer the first part of the question I only sing at church (and very softly). Froggy sounding voices don't sound to good out loud where others can hear them. When I'm at home ALONE, I sing along to the songs on the radio or tv. The radio and tv is loud so my voice doesn't carry over it. I enjoy singing but I wasn't blessed with a good voice.
To the second part answer is "nope," wish I could play the piano, but I never did take lessons. We had one in our home growing up but the subject never came up about lessons. Maybe they couldn't afford it. I grew up during the second world war. Maybe there wasn't the music teachers around like they are now.
I like the song "Daisy A Day" That is the song where this old mans wife has died, and he goes to the cemetery every day and brings a Daisy to lay on her grave. My hubby also liked that song a lot.
Harbor Lights is another one I like. Boy that's dating my age isn't it? I also like listening and singing along to gospel music. There is so many songs I like they are to numerous to even write down.

From: Renee Zamora

I played the flute in school but that wasn't for very long. I always wanted to play the piano, but never had the opportunity to learn. I've taught myself a little. I was part of the Studio Stage Band in High School. I sang "You light up my life", I really hated that song by the time I performed it. When I was little I wanted to be a singer. I sang with my girlfriends all the Osmond songs. We liked other performers like Barry Manalow, Beach boys, I can't recall the others. We would record ourselves for hours singing into a tape machine. We used to practice dancing to the songs too. We were not good and I'm so glad that others didn't see us!

I have been influenced the most in my life with hymns. I love to sing church hymns to myself. I have songs that really help pick up my spirit when I am down. My favorite is "I know that my Redeemer Lives". I also like "As Sisters in Zion" and "I Believe in Christ". There are many more I just love. I like to listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

I seem to like most other types of music. I listen to several different radio stations. My kids have helped to expand my music interests. My daughter Marie writes her own music and sings them. I really like her song "Your Gone". My father played the harmonica while we were growing up. I just love to listen to it, I wish I had a tape recording of him playing and singing. When I was really ill, and had a near death experience I recall one thing happening. I wasn't sure if I was going to live or die, all of a sudden I heard a harmonica playing. I didn't know if this was another near death at first or not. I thought maybe I imagined my father coming to play for me. The music kept getting louder. Then I looked and saw a man standing at the foot of my bed playing the harmonica. It was just some wonderful older man trying to bring cheer to sick people in the hospital. I thanked him for coming and felt like I have received a little bit of comfort. It reminded me of my Dad.

From: Connie Farrington

Music in my life - There's been lots of it, but I'll start with a strictly Harris musical group. When I was maybe about 10 (?), Nancy and Joyce Harris and Peggy and I (Connie Harris) did that fake kind of singing with a phonograph playing. We had outfits made that may have all been green, with a ruffle on the skirt I think, and kind of skimpy tops. Maybe we were all in Juvenile Grange at the time. Anyway, we sang somewhere, I think maybe Fort Ann school or some other school in Washington County. I think we were doing I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover. Somebody, perhaps one of us four, tripped over the cord for the record player. As the power wound down the words went slower and slower, then stopped. We must have looked pretty funny with our mouths wide open.

I do remember a few more successful ventures. I sang in a triple trip in high school. We performed in gowns at one of the proms. And I enjoyed singing two years in the large chapel choir at Syracuse University, directed by a fantastic organist. I sang in the operetta "Oklahoma" with a summer theater group. And occasionally I sing in the shower.

From: Lois Rotella

I wished that I had the talent to plan a musical instrument. I love music. I play all kinds of music. I have no favorite kind. I listen according to my moods.

I like country, rock and roll, jazz and comtempory. I love the music from the forties. I think I heard it when my Mom and Dad listened to it.

From: Jenny McMurray

I love all kinds of music like classical, country, and classic rock. My kids have to endure at times the music of the 70's and 80's(when I was a kid) . I like to sing, but don't do it very often. I enjoy teaching music in primary at church. I think it is important for kids to learn how to play an instrument. Hannah plays the flute and when Liam is older we would like him to play the cello.

From: Brenda Olszewski

Music has had a big influence in my life. I was 3 when Mom said I would go to Aunt Hattie's piano and pick out "Mary had a little lamb" and other songs I knew. I always had a passion for the piano. I begged for lessons and Mom would take me. I played for church and school .I loved it, it was always very relaxing for me. When my girls were still home they loved music too and I would play the piano while they sang for church and school. We had the best fun. We would sing to all kinds of music and Amy played in the school orchestra with her viola. Jenny and Carrie sang in all the choirs available and Jen and I were even in the musical "Fiddler on the Roof" that our stake put on. Jenny went on to take singing lessons and to go into competition.
I teach music in Primary and I stress the importance of how the music and words make us feel.

From: Joyce Eggleston

We always were singing and harmonizing growing up. Nan, Peggy, Connie and I used to sing together at different occasions. I love playing the piano. Jerry bought me one and I took lessons. I think I play better by ear than when I read the music. One of my favorite songs is "Mac the Knife".