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Mom was trained by her Aunt Mena, her Mom’s sister. I don’t know if Mom had conservatory training, but I’m only now putting together how incredibly talented Mom was. She would perform from sheet music, from memory, and by ear. Even now, Mom is rather wistfully remembered, by her younger sisters, as one who earned her own money, even in High School, giving lessons and playing in dance band(s).
I inherited virtually zero of Mom’s innate musical talent. I took eight years of piano training. I think that Mom was wise enough not to try to train her own kid! Two teachers I remember well are Rosina Underwood in Colgate and Mr Robinson in Weyburn. I remember Mr Robinson very well. He was a disabled WWI vet with two prosthetic legs. He was University and Conservatory trained!
Mom had an extensive personal collection of sheet music.
We have recently transcribed a second tape. We invite you to listen HERE.
After listening to the piano pieces you have put on several of your recent posts, plus listening to ‘Lorraine’s Music”, I had been wondering how or where Aunt Lorraine learned to play. Her Aunt Mena must have been an accomplished pianist herself, if anyone still knows. For Lorraine to be playing with local orchestras, plus to be giving lessons to others by her mid teens speaks volumes to how accomplished she was also. We who sang our sour notes along with her know she could read music, played by ear and by memory.
On a personal note, as I listen to these piano pieces, I can clearly see Aunt Lorraine at the upright piano, head held high, back straight in the posture of a pianist, left hand lifting high chording and the right fingers picking out the melody, as she turns regularly to encourage her audience of singers. I am transported back with fond memories to the many singsongs in which Aunt Lorraine lead us.
Cheryl D Banks
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