Jan 20th, 2025

Music & Family

Hello everyone! I’m interviewing my mom about her musical experiences. I love my mom! She is a nurse practitioner in charge of Employee Health at Spartanburg Regional Hospital. So, she doesn’t have a career in music but, she loves music. She’s always been very supportive of my music career and extracurriculars. We both attend our church’s choir/orchestra. My mom sing in the church’s choir while I play in the church’s orchestra. That’s why I chose my mom to interview because we have a shared experience of music. 

Here’s a picture of my mom and I:

Here’s my interview with my mom:

Me: What was your first experience with music?

My Mom: The earliest I can remember is listening to Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas music. However, I always wanted to learn to play piano and I received a keyboard for Christmas when I was around 9 or so and tried to teach myself. 

Alvin & the Chipmunks Christmas song:

Me: Did you like what your parents listened to and why? 

My Mom: My parents listened to traditional country music- Kenny Rogers, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn. I did not like country music much. I thought it was too old fashioned I guess. 

Me: What was your favorite song growing up and why? 

My Mom: As a teenager I loved Richard Marx, I just Died in Your Arms. It was the 80s and the music was about love and loss. Plus he was super cute! 

I Just Died In Your Arms by Richard Marx:

Me: Why did you join choir?

My Mom: I joined the school choir in junior high. My friends were in the band but we couldn’t afford an instrument so I joined the chorus. I’ve been in church choirs most of my adult life. I love singing and love praising God through song. 

Me: Do you enjoy choir and why?

My Mom: Yes, I love singing. I feel closer to God when I sing praises. Also, I enjoy the friends I have made in choir. 

Me: How has your music taste changed? 

My Mom: As a teenager, I listened to pop music. In college, I was exposed to some orchestral music. We were able to go to concerts and plays for free. Now, I mostly listen to contemporary Christian music. I sometimes like to listen to classical music when driving or working. 

Me: What is your favorite song now?

My Mom: Thank You Jesus for the Blood.

Thank You Jesus for the Blood by Charity Gayle:

Me: What do you like about choir?

My Mom: Working on improving my voice and the friendships. I love the church’s Christmas programs. 

Me: What do you dislike about choir?

My Mom: The time commitment during busy seasons. 

Me: Did you like watching my concerts/competitions and were they boring?

My Mom: I loved watching band competitions. I liked to see the different programs and try to figure placements. I also enjoyed the friendships. Sometimes the days were very long and hot or cold though. The late nights getting home at 1am were hard too. 

Me: Was there any songs we played at concerts/competitions that you liked or remembered and why?

My Mom: I loved when you had that clarinet solo and remember your very last high school competition. 

Me: What are your favorite songs to sing in choir and why? 

My Mom: Made for More because of the lyrics and low notes, We Will Remember because it’s catchy, and In Jesus Name (God of Possible) because I like the words and I got a solo in choir with it. 

Made For More by Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson, and Josh Baldwin:

We Will Remember by Tommy Walker:

In Jesus Name (God of Possible) by Katy Nichole:

Me: What are your least favorite songs to sing in choir and why?

My Mom: Some of the old hymns. The churches I grew up in were super small and nobody knew how to sing and they mostly sang hymns. 

Me: What is your favorite genre of music to listen to?

My Mom: Contemporary Christian.

Me: Are you surprised that you had kids who took an interest in band/orchestra?

My Mom: Yes and No. We (my mom and dad) encouraged it when each of you (my siblings and I) went to junior high. We knew that music was good for kids, the kids in band were usually nice, and it was a place for friends to be made. We never imagined 2 of you (Sean, my brother, and I) would make music your career but we (my parents) are thrilled. 

 

Me: Do you listen to music daily and why?

My Mom: Every day, I listen to His Radio in the car. I listen to it because I enjoy the music.

Me: Did you ever have records, cassettes, etc. to listen to music and do enjoy that you can listen to music on your phone now?

My Mom: I used to record music from the radio onto cassettes. I also did solos in church from music on cassettes. I used to make playlists when I was running but not now. I just listen to the radio and YouTube to practice for choir. 

Me: What were some songs that were popular when you were growing up?

My Mom: We Are the World by U.S.A. For Africa, Celebrate by Kool & the Gang, Beat It by Michael Jackson.

We Are the World by U.S.A. For Africa:

Celebrate by Kool & The Gang:

Beat It by Michael Jackson:

Me: What were some songs that you didn’t like growing up and why?

My Mom: I didn’t like the genre of hard rock and bands like Metallica.

Me: What are some songs that you don’t like now and why?

My Mom: There is none that I can think of.

Me: Do you enjoy singing for the choir’s Christmas program and why?

My Mom: Yes, I enjoy singing in the Christmas programs. I love singing Christian Christmas songs.

Me: Do you enjoy listening to music and why?

My Mom: Yes, I enjoy listening to music but enjoy singing even more. Music affects our moods and helps us express what we are feeling. I’ve taken piano lessons and voice lessons as an adult because music is good for our moods, keeps our brain active and you’re never too old to learn.

End of Interview!

Thanks for reading about my mom’s musical experience. I learned a lot about my mom’s musical taste and experiences.