My husband and I are both conservatory trained (NEC BM '89 and '90 and he has his MM '92). Neither of us wound up being professional musicians for varying reasons. My husband still plays (oboe) in small gigs around town and I can no longer play due to inflammation in my hands (bassoon). (I had decided not to play before the health issues showed up) I have been able to use my knowledge and experience in my “day job” at a local symphony orchestra and now at a music festival in town where I run the box office and database.
So when our daughter (NEC '22) came along and grew in passion and ability on violin, we were both understanding and supportive of her pursuit. Even though we did not achieve that “professional” level, we understand the love and passion of music. And when she began to show real promise and desire to pursue a performance degree neither one of us had any reservations of letting her pursue it. You would think we would caution her but actually the opposite happened. I easily recognize that she is already a better musician than I ever was and when her teachers encouraged her to pursue the highest level of school, we were right there with her.
We have always told her that there are many many ways to make a living with a violin, even when she was very young. Even her college application essays reflected this attitude. When they asked what she saw herself doing in the future her actual answer was I have no idea beyond that I want to be playing the violin - solo, orchestral, chamber, whatever may come. She wrote about how she wants to use her time at school to find her niche, to find that path. We feel she is poised to get a top notch education with one of the most widely recognized teachers in the country and will be ready for what may come.
We worry, yes, but we’ve been to the puppet show and we’ve seen the strings. Life turns and twists and if you have the right love and passion, you find your way. I pray every day she doesn’t inherit my bad hands! But when you hear such a song bird, how can you ask it to stop singing?
And sometimes I just say - if the world all begins to fall apart and “music jobs” are no more, won’t we value those among us who can play so beautifully to lift the human spirit?
This is an art and art is beyond money. Anyway, that’s how I feel. And now I’m missing her even more!!! 22 days until I see (and hear!) her again!!