There’s a small local museum, not often open, that I was fortunate to visit once. It was a school museum containing all the materials and books from around the turn of the 20th century. All the primary books were song books. Children learned to read music, read the words, and sing the songs in parts.
Musical education is the best education there is—which is probably why it’s been abandoned.
Musical development far more common in generations before the T.V. and even the Radio to some extent. Adults with children are wise to remove Electronic Monitors, and all screens from the house for the foundational years of their children's lives. Skills Acquisition and building the imagination is greatly necessary towards helping our youngsters to mature into whole, well-balanced people living disciplined, respectful and joyful lives.
Since my husband Mike passed away seven weeks ago from cancer, my grief has directed me to turn even more to my enjoyment of reading good writing. And while it’s not unusual at all for me to find tremendous enjoyment from John Leake’s writing, the “Violen Garden” really spoke to me.
I studied music from the fourth grade well into college. My Mike was a professional musician and composer and a caretaker of his instruments. I immediately understood the Meraki principle, and I found comfort in the knowledge that he had spent his life with those vintage guitars and amplifiers that he so loved.
And, for years, I designed and created sterling silver jewelry as a side business. Although I loved doing the design and creation part, I always hated to sell my creations. Now I know why. They were like my children. Thank you John Leake.
I’m just so curious - were these girls vaccinated throughout their infancy and early childhood? If so, I wonder how many shots they received and beginning at what age. My guess is that they had few, if any, and certainly not the 36 or so that US kids receive by age 5.
I understand this act of working on something as an investment in ourselves and therefore it's subsequent transformative power, and yet I'm so struck by what you've written, John Leake. This time we're in frames everything differently. Not only did I feel a sense of sadness for the British army engineer, but also for the two well-mannered and well-spoken young girls. They sound remarkable, as do their parents. I can only hope that their future will be promising and free.
Good advice, John Leake. I came from a large, musically trained family, and we also exhibited good manners, and great interest in learning, for life. I discovered recently that I share some DNA with another great musician...Ludwig Van Beethoven, who died in Vienna, Austria, in 1827. Thanks for encouraging the folks John Leake...it really does pay to interest the children early on in music. Reading music is another language useful in stimulating the activity and growth in the brain.
My youngest tried the violin and ended up a trumpet player, but it’s genetic on her dad’s side. I often advise younger parents: read to your children daily; make sure they get enough sleep and give them music lessons😉
john, like standing in front of a good Raphael, or Leonardo, or Rubens, the endless unfathomalbe beauty keeps us restless in unquenchable awe. But John, I take exception: these great works are not a love of themselves, but just the absolute and complete opposite: it is the love of their utter humbleness in face of the imitation of nature and the distinctly human reaction to it. Love of self has created the abomination of modern artlessness, starting with Picasso and his ilk and their descendants
Interesting to learn you studied under Scruton. Life is far too short to waste it on things we do not love. You are right. I have spent this year reading William Durant's Story of Civilization. This amazing work strikes me as a good example of what you describe. We sought what our children loved and encourage them to follow it.
I had a little one who saved up her Christmas & birthday money and paid for her tiny little violin when she was four years old, purchased by her violin teacher. Though small, the violin had a beautiful sound.
She does happen to have grace, but I think she always did, from the moment she was born. Hence she received a name that meant "graceful".
Thank you for this! I agree! I think that we are only beginning to understand the therapeutic power of music -- therapeutic not just in terms of healing, but in terms of fostering a consistent sense of well-being. I wonder what marvels might result if school children in the classroom began and ended every day by singing. A few years ago, there was a school in St. Louis -- Holy Trinity School I believe it was, and I remember it was not in an affluent neighborhood -- that taught music to the children from the very early grades. Would that such a policy were adopted at every school.
Just a sad P.S. -- in May of 2020, the Archdiocese of St. Louis announced the permanent closure of Holy Trinity School and two other Catholic schools in St. Louis "due to the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the already financially strained institutions." (Per local St. Louis news outlet KSDK)
Some great insights which I will forward to my concert pianist friend! My husband and I also witnessed the love of one's work and pride in the finished product with the 4 Ukrainian-American construction guys coming this summer to build a deck and remodel some of our old house.
AND I very much personally experience this same "love" of work after taking up "art crochet" recycling old rags to make rugs, bowls, cat houses, etc which I'm trying to teach others about, not only to stem some of our horrific waste in the U.S. but as a therapeutic distraction from living in a militarized warhawkish empire now witnessing genocide and facing nuclear catastrophe. Maybe the diversion is a bit like Nero fiddling while Rome burns but keeping fingers busy and mind preoccupied with color/design by crocheting is at least therapeutic on an individual level!
There’s a small local museum, not often open, that I was fortunate to visit once. It was a school museum containing all the materials and books from around the turn of the 20th century. All the primary books were song books. Children learned to read music, read the words, and sing the songs in parts.
Musical education is the best education there is—which is probably why it’s been abandoned.
Musical development far more common in generations before the T.V. and even the Radio to some extent. Adults with children are wise to remove Electronic Monitors, and all screens from the house for the foundational years of their children's lives. Skills Acquisition and building the imagination is greatly necessary towards helping our youngsters to mature into whole, well-balanced people living disciplined, respectful and joyful lives.
Since my husband Mike passed away seven weeks ago from cancer, my grief has directed me to turn even more to my enjoyment of reading good writing. And while it’s not unusual at all for me to find tremendous enjoyment from John Leake’s writing, the “Violen Garden” really spoke to me.
I studied music from the fourth grade well into college. My Mike was a professional musician and composer and a caretaker of his instruments. I immediately understood the Meraki principle, and I found comfort in the knowledge that he had spent his life with those vintage guitars and amplifiers that he so loved.
And, for years, I designed and created sterling silver jewelry as a side business. Although I loved doing the design and creation part, I always hated to sell my creations. Now I know why. They were like my children. Thank you John Leake.
I’m just so curious - were these girls vaccinated throughout their infancy and early childhood? If so, I wonder how many shots they received and beginning at what age. My guess is that they had few, if any, and certainly not the 36 or so that US kids receive by age 5.
I am not sure and I do not wish to speculate about a private matter, but I am guessing the same. Regards, John Leake
The orchestras in Australia were promoting the shots so they could get back to playing.
Music envelops all of life, and develops it, as well.
I would just add that the study of most any musical instrument (not just the violin) can bring the same benefits to the player.
I understand this act of working on something as an investment in ourselves and therefore it's subsequent transformative power, and yet I'm so struck by what you've written, John Leake. This time we're in frames everything differently. Not only did I feel a sense of sadness for the British army engineer, but also for the two well-mannered and well-spoken young girls. They sound remarkable, as do their parents. I can only hope that their future will be promising and free.
Good advice, John Leake. I came from a large, musically trained family, and we also exhibited good manners, and great interest in learning, for life. I discovered recently that I share some DNA with another great musician...Ludwig Van Beethoven, who died in Vienna, Austria, in 1827. Thanks for encouraging the folks John Leake...it really does pay to interest the children early on in music. Reading music is another language useful in stimulating the activity and growth in the brain.
My youngest tried the violin and ended up a trumpet player, but it’s genetic on her dad’s side. I often advise younger parents: read to your children daily; make sure they get enough sleep and give them music lessons😉
john, like standing in front of a good Raphael, or Leonardo, or Rubens, the endless unfathomalbe beauty keeps us restless in unquenchable awe. But John, I take exception: these great works are not a love of themselves, but just the absolute and complete opposite: it is the love of their utter humbleness in face of the imitation of nature and the distinctly human reaction to it. Love of self has created the abomination of modern artlessness, starting with Picasso and his ilk and their descendants
Interesting to learn you studied under Scruton. Life is far too short to waste it on things we do not love. You are right. I have spent this year reading William Durant's Story of Civilization. This amazing work strikes me as a good example of what you describe. We sought what our children loved and encourage them to follow it.
My father was a 🎻 ist, John.
He came to live with me in Texas subsequent to mother's passing. His presence was a gift.
Great lover of classical music and opera. Vienna was his favorite city.
I donated his violin to a local symphony shortly after his passing .
From the beach....
🌞🇧🇷🌴🏖️🌊🐬🌎😎
I hope he appreciated Bob Wills, too...
I had a little one who saved up her Christmas & birthday money and paid for her tiny little violin when she was four years old, purchased by her violin teacher. Though small, the violin had a beautiful sound.
She does happen to have grace, but I think she always did, from the moment she was born. Hence she received a name that meant "graceful".
I’d like to believe music isn’t talent based like singing 😅
Thank you for this! I agree! I think that we are only beginning to understand the therapeutic power of music -- therapeutic not just in terms of healing, but in terms of fostering a consistent sense of well-being. I wonder what marvels might result if school children in the classroom began and ended every day by singing. A few years ago, there was a school in St. Louis -- Holy Trinity School I believe it was, and I remember it was not in an affluent neighborhood -- that taught music to the children from the very early grades. Would that such a policy were adopted at every school.
Just a sad P.S. -- in May of 2020, the Archdiocese of St. Louis announced the permanent closure of Holy Trinity School and two other Catholic schools in St. Louis "due to the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the already financially strained institutions." (Per local St. Louis news outlet KSDK)
Music is another thing that unites people. It’s joy can be universal.
Some great insights which I will forward to my concert pianist friend! My husband and I also witnessed the love of one's work and pride in the finished product with the 4 Ukrainian-American construction guys coming this summer to build a deck and remodel some of our old house.
AND I very much personally experience this same "love" of work after taking up "art crochet" recycling old rags to make rugs, bowls, cat houses, etc which I'm trying to teach others about, not only to stem some of our horrific waste in the U.S. but as a therapeutic distraction from living in a militarized warhawkish empire now witnessing genocide and facing nuclear catastrophe. Maybe the diversion is a bit like Nero fiddling while Rome burns but keeping fingers busy and mind preoccupied with color/design by crocheting is at least therapeutic on an individual level!
Yes.