Music and Your Brain

Posted on July 26, 2024 by Evesophia

A lot has been published lately about how music affects ones brain. A couple of top hospitals here in Boston have done research on it which includes taking specific MRIs of the brain to see exactly how music affects us musicians. It is also well known that keeping your brain healthy and slowing down the ageing process includes learning new skills. Grandma Moses became a famous artist at age 80. All musicians that I know keep going and going forever making music. I’m one of them.

Whenever I start teaching a new piano student I tell them this is brain-training. Learning to move fingers separately to do specific things on their own is a different skill entirely than picking up a cup. So is learning spacial things like reaching for a piano key without having to look for it. And watching that student start falling into that routine of playing with all 10 fingers more and more coordinated is nothing short of amazing.

I have always loved looking at the pictures showing the brain of a musician looking like a garden has exploded in the brain itself! And I am seriously considering asking the neuroscientists at my hospital which is Brighams in Boston, to take one of those MRIs of my brain so I can see what is going on in there. Haha!

For myself, I have always felt more alert in general. I feel I understand things more quickly. My brain is operating at a faster speed. I usually can’t explain it very well other than I feel on top of things mentally all the time. And I have been able to memorize everything, not just music, since childhood. And that’s something my father knew very well about me. I could never get away with the “I don’t know what happened” excuses because he knew I remembered everything! Hahahahaha!

My point in this article is that in order to keep your brain active and doing well as you age, learning a new skill is a very good idea. Learning a musical instrument is a very common new skill. You won’t become a concert pianist or violinist or whatever instrument you choose, but your brain will thank you for this aerobic exercise it gets when you practice. It’s the continuous practice that keeps your brain doing jumping jacks and having a good time! Ear-training is also a part of becoming a musician. You are more sensitive to pitch and the overall timbre of music. Lots of benefits from musical learning even if it’s only a serious hobby. Or just a fun activity. But to be clear, it’s the continuous practicing that exercises the brain. So…you still have to practice. Haha!

There are many new skills you can learn to keep your brain active as we age, just like keeping physically active at the gym etc. For me music is number one! I try to do the other stuff too though.

To read more inclusive articles about how music affects the brain look up this subject online. There are a number of studies that explain it more scientifically than I can. Very interesting reading. It just might push you to make that decision to learn to play a musical instrument. I highly recommend it.

https://www.makingmusicwitheve.weebly.com

https://www.avon.com/repstore/eczaja

Posted in Making Music | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Accepting Therapy

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Evesophia

I have had therapy 3 times in my life. Why you ask? These moments came at times when I was making life changes. I started teaching voice at age 36. I saw a therapist for a few months to help me make that change to being an entrepreneur and having the confidence to do it…at least along with my regular job. Putting yourself out into the world as a professional anything, in this case musician, is scary at best! Even though I was running around performing a lot, I wasn’t out there presenting myself as the ultimate voice and piano teacher. You’re well qualified and a nice person but you need to sell yourself and your abilities. So I didn’t want any childhood trauma or negative/toxic thinking to get in the way of my self esteem and confidence.

Personal achievement careers are so dependent on your confidence in yourself to present the best you can be. That therapy session lasted a few months. I learned that I do count as an individual and to believe in myself much more. Sometimes it’s the basics you just need to focus on. Seems remedial but very often the simple things in life need to be reinforced. You’re not some strange alien walking around. You just need to be more aware of the real person you are and what you have to offer.

My next stint with therapy was about 18 years ago after I broke up with a man I had been seeing for 3 years. I honestly thought we would get married…finally. Well…he left. I didn’t know how to handle this breakup as I thought I was finally doing everything right in that relationship, except for the red flags I just brushed off. Ugh. I got so depressed I thought I needed to talk to someone. I did find a great therapist close by through my insurance. Once again she helped me concentrate on my own well being and accept that it’s another heartbreak, not the end of the world. I will survive and move on. All is not lost. She was right.

Now is the third time I am accepting the need for a few therapy sessions which are offered through one of the professional music organizations I belong to. We get a full month of free therapy as part of our membership. Since my recent emergency spinal surgery I have had some side effects of surgery, mood swings and other minor things which go away but are annoying. Your regular routine is interrupted for a few months during recovery, even your sleep. But what bothered me the most was the elusiveness of my wonderful, perfect neuro-spine surgeon. He’s one of the 150 best spine surgeons in the USA.

The 1 1/2 times I did see him was right before surgery and then 2 months later for an office follow-up visit. I understand this was an emergency surgery, hence no big introductions and pre-surgery planning etc. I just landed at the hospital and he appeared in pre-op. But there was no visit after surgery whilst I was still in the hospital, no big comprehensive discussion about what he did and what he found, which was a spinal tumor. My hospital stay was only 3 1/2 days. Corporate hospital in this day and age. Bumped to rehab for 2 weeks. No real communication about post-operative care, what to expect when I get home, what rehab was all about…a real hole in the surgical/hospital communication. Then when I was about to see him 2 weeks ago he left the hospital for an Executive Director of Neurosciences job elsewhere. Now you see why I call him elusive. All this time I felt what I call abandonment…like the people that mattered most to me during this surgery never really addressed it with me. Kind of like I didn’t matter. Although I did see a new spinal surgeon for that visit, another 5-star brilliant young man, very nice and personable, he’s not the one I wanted the original conversation with.

Not realizing this is what might be the real reason behind my bouts of anxiety and doomsday thinking, I turned to the therapist for the 5 free sessions offered by my music organization. And since talking to him about my thoughts and anxiety etc. during this recovery time, I realized all I wanted was someone to listen to me like I mattered. My issues weren’t terribly serious but seem to have been masking my real need to talk to my surgeon about me and my surgery. A real comprehensive discussion. It’s interesting how one issue can cause others which leads you to another solution that can end up solving the original issue. Huh.

My point with this article is if you feel off kilter emotionally or you are feeling more and more depressed etc. it’s okay to pursue therapy if you need a more in-depth approach from a professional. It’s not a black mark on your life. It’s taking control of you and fixing you so you can move forward, especially after a major issue in your life such as major surgery. Invest in yourself. You are your most important project in life. Never mind what anyone says, if you choose to tell them what you are doing. It’s for you and no one is going to do this for you. You have to take care of you.

Choose to care of yourself. I’ve taken the plunge 3 times in life. And each time it gave me the help I needed. Take care of you both inside and out, mentally, emotionally and physically. And then…eat pie. Either with whipped cream or ice cream. Pie can be part of your therapy as well. Haha!

You knew there would be a funny ending! Admit it!

Posted in Life with Eve | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Making Music

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Evesophia

It’s been a few days since I blogged. A few things got in the way…not the least of which is former President Trump was almost assassinated. Nothing short of horrendous! Also here in the Boston area it is soooo hot…2 weeks of 90+ degrees. Beautiful days with not a cloud in the sky but…an oven. One can’t think other than to find cool air, cold water and a place to sit and stare for a bit whilst trying to survive as a human. Haha!

But back to music. You all know I am a professional musician, opera singer, voice and piano teacher, modest organist and choir director. So how do you attain all of that and actually know how good you are in each of your endeavors? You work consistently until you achieve it and “pass muster” with your master teachers both in undergrad and graduate school. Then…you go out into the world and make it happen. Apply your knowledge and talent and make music stuff happen. And yes, you know where your best talent lies and how to include your lesser talents. And first and foremost, you strive to be a good musician before anything else.

This leads me to those who want the instant gratification of making music in a hurry apparently just to make money. Well…what about proper training? What about how you actually present to the public? Truthfully…are you any good? Or are you banking on “doing your thing” as a way of becoming famous even though your “thing” isn’t very good at all! Everyone else does their “thing” in popular music especially but most have had some training. In fact there are some pop musicians who actually have their doctorates. Bravo to them!

But trying to shortcut your way into music frankly never works. It’s like trying to shortcut your way into learning how to walk. You can’t. All of these things are what is called “brain training” and takes an amount of time to come to fruition.

All personal achievement careers take time to blossom. Even when one is fully trained with schooling and degrees etc, you still polish your achievement throughout your life. Actively engaging in your career is like polishing furniture until you get that deep shine and sparkle. That’s how our talent grows throughout life. We can present better and better. We get more seasoned in our art. There’s no replacement for it. However if you don’t have the initial foundation to build on then you have nothing to polish. It’s DOA and that’s all there is.

So when I see people who are supposedly famous making music with faulty voices, not a lot of musicianship, or no knowledge of how to present their music or even interact with an audience, I’m done with them. If you want to count among us musicians who have worked tirelessly for our art to be known as the consummate educated and trained musical artist, then do the work. It’s that simple.

There are a lot of fakes on this Earth. And if you see this sort of thing in your own life and whatever your life’s pursuit is, you know. It shows very soon once you start engaging with them. We all owe it to ourselves to be proud of what we know and can do. Don’t let any fakes take that away from you. Separate yourself and move forward with those who speak your language. Those who put the honest work into becoming what their talent is. I certainly had to learn that as a musician.

Being authentic is the only way to live. We owe it to ourselves. Don’t you agree?

Posted in Making Music | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Music and Life

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Evesophia

My late best friend/music bud Dr. Fred, or as he would tell his piano students, Docman G, died 2 years ago June 19. He was a devout Russian Orthodox Christian. He was also a master, brilliant musician/organist. We made great music together and were equally nuts…I still am nuts so not to worry. Ha!

In the Orthodox Church one celebrates/remembers the deceased by having an annual Memorial, a short service right at the end of the Divine Liturgy. A proper Memorial includes a wheatberry concoction called Kolyva. Wheat means life. We make it. It consists of cooked and dried wheatberries. We mix them with golden raisins, some pomegranate bits, slivered almonds and cinnamon. Those are the basics. People add some other things as well. Then you pack the mix into a tray which has been dolled up with paper doilies to beautify the arrangement. Sprinkle some bread crumbs lightly over the mix and put a good deal of powdered sugar over the top as the final ingredient. Pack that down and then add some decorations. Jordan Almonds are a must as well as some small silver pieces for adding the initials of the person. And a beautiful cross in the middle. Then try not to breathe so nothing gets goofed up before the Liturgy. Haha! Afterwards we mix it in a bowl and serve it to eat. It’s good! Mine is!

It’s a nicety and a so very proper one that we need to do for our loved ones in the Orthodox Church. It makes us feel like we are properly taking care of them even as they are now departed physically from us. Then we go about our lives.

I remember when Dr. Fred went into hospice care in the hospital. I had to play a wedding at my Church the next day. Ugh. However, I always remembered what Docman used to say. “When you have a job to do you put everything on the back burner and do your job. Period.” So I did. I put thoughts of him in the back of my mind and played well. That’s what musicians as well as other professional people do. We keep our pain to ourselves to help make another’s life event a happy one. And making music actually soothes our pain as well. I’ve mentioned that in another one of my posts. Music can be a medicine for what ails us in life as well as boost our joys.

I remember the times when Docman was ill and still had to sit on the organ bench for a big deal Christmas Eve service with full choir and brass as well. He would joke about not hearing the trumpet playing right by him since his right ear was plugged. Ha! And the many times he saw a chiropractor for numerous backaches. Playing with 2 arms and 2 legs sitting on an organ bench isn’t good for anyone’s back. It’s amazing what we all do when we are passionate about our work and absolutely need to do it for whatever reason (special occasion of any kind) so as to provide that service we are so good at and can make the occasion superb instead of just “a nice service.”

Every time I sit down to play I think about the inspiration I get from Docman to play as a pro and not let anything get in the way…including thoughts. Be who you are when you need to do that job. And, that takes me back to celebrating his departure into the next life with a special Memorial and Ev’s version of Kolyva. We need to celebrate people in our lives whether still with us or dearly departed.

That’s what we humans do. And with Docman G we get to make superb music as well. Yes!

https://www.makingmusicwitheve.weebly.com

https://www.avon.com/repstore/eczaja

Posted in Making Music | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Making Music Appropriately

Posted on July 5, 2024 by Evesophia

What does that mean you’re asking.

Well, I was watching the Capitol Fourth from Washington DC last night, July 4. I always do. And yes, I like some of the entertainment and some I don’t. I always love the National Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Jack Everly. Plus this year, the wonderful pianist Chloe Flower.

But then their are the singers which I really scrutinize, for obvious reasons being a voice teacher of 37 years. Which brings me to the title of this piece.

With most popular entertainers it is pretty much assumed they will make any song they sing “their own.” Bring their own style to it and try to “wow” the audience. However, not all songs are in that category. Songs that were composed years ago, like our dearly beloved national treasures, were meant to be performed the way that composer intended. And these types of songs are meant to celebrate specific things or situations…like the “Star Spangled Banner” which is our National Anthem.

I am always doing flip-flops (at my age) when I hear singers take the National Anthem and sing it “their way.” There is no “their way” with this song. It’s the song meant to celebrate our Revolution which freed us from the bonds of England’s Monarchy. We wanted to be free and we fought like dogs for it! The song should be sung in the appropriate manner out of respect. Granted it’s not the easiest song to sing but no need to make it any more difficult by rearranging it “your way.” Oy vey!

Other songs like “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America” also need to be sung respectfully and appropriately. Songs written for special occasions should be treated like it. Not every piece of music out there is for performers to use the way they please. Modern entertainers seem to not comprehend this fact of musical life.

When one studies music and obtains several degrees etc., we are taught about the different eras of music. Music history. There are different periods of music each with their own style. Baroque, the time Bach and Handel lived, has its own unique style for vocal and instrumental music. The same goes for the Classical Period, Romantic, Impressionist, etc. One has to learn the different styles in order to perform the music of each period correctly.

Art songs such as German Lieder and French Chansons etc. (German and French songs), have their own style. Singers have to learn that and abide by it. Opera arias also have their own style. Some are more rigid than others. Some a singer can take a bit more liberty with. It depends on the composer and again the style of the music.

Lest I bore the entire world with my singer/musician’s evaluation of music throughout the ages, let me reiterate the title…making music appropriately. Just because you are a modern entertainer doesn’t mean you take any piece of music and “make it your own” style. You make it your own by singing it well, respectfully and meaningfully.

So there. Today’s music lesson. Food for thought. One can’t take liberty with a lot of things in life. Many things need to be respected and treated appropriately. Music of course is the one that stands out for me.

And you?

https://www.makingmusicwitheve.weebly.com

https://www.avon.com/repstore/eczaja

Posted in Making Music | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Changes in Life

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Evesophia

At some point, no matter how old you are and where you’ve been in this life, change is needed. For as long as I’ve been a musician I’ve been basically working for other people. That’s fine but if you’re annoyingly independent like me, haha, it doesn’t always work very well because you have your own style that you’ve developed over the years and has worked well for you.

I’m a professional musician and certified makeup artist. Personal achievement careers as I call them. But what happens when they take a “hit” like they both did when I had my latest surgery? Even though I’m still a very capable musician and makeup artist I’m tired, very tired, of the ups and downs and various “hits” these jobs, especially the musician job, has taken over the years. We’re all in need of financial security when we get older into senior-hood. The ups and downs of these careers make it very difficult to engineer a comfortable retirement should I want to quit altogether…which I don’t. Musicians go on forever until the end. Ha!

But I just signed onto a new venture in my life, marketing for other businesses. I sure wish we as musicians were taught the in-depth technique for advertising and obtaining clients as I’m learning right now. It’s a game-changer. Thinking outside the box in order to maintain a reasonably comfortable extra income as one gets older is mandatory to survive. I’m still a very useful person and very capable of making a major change to help myself survive. But then I’m always surviving and fixing things. If finding enough music work to help sustain my older years is going to be a supreme challenge in this day and age then I’ll think outside the box and try something else…something I can actually do online and even from a hospital bed if I had to. Hahahahaha!

My new venture is also a way of helping others in their businesses. What I’m learning now is vital to all professions and businesses. How do you market yourself, and your wonderful skills and services? People are really out there looking for what you have to offer. If I can help others’ businesses survive and thrive, I’m all for it. Glad to help.

I always say one can’t be a one-trick-pony in this life but I’m usually talking about being a musician. It applies to life in general. One does have to be creative to survive. I have to say, I’m always thinking up my own schemes to get what I need and basically survive…hopefully thrive a bit more now.

How about you? Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. And don’t think your talents are limited. Examine your mind and what other things you like to do in life and are good at. It might just be the key to adding another dimension to you and perhaps another source of income to help you get ahead in this crappy economic time. Take care of you. Be creative. You can do it!

https://www.makingmusicwitheve.weebly.com

https://www.avon.com/repstore/eczaja

Posted in Life with Eve | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Makeup and Skincare Products

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Evesophia

You all know by now I have 3 certifications in Makeup Artistry. But which products do I use, you ask (or maybe you aren’t asking). Ha! I’ll tell you.

If you are fairly new to the skincare/makeup scene you’re overwhelmed with all the products on the market. I know that because there are so many…everyone is overwhelmed. My best advice is to pick a couple of brands that have been around a while. Try a product or 2 from each one and see how you like it. You can also ask someone like me, a makeup person, to recommend products but in the end it’s your call. Only you can determine if you like the way your skin looks and feels. Here are some brands that I have used over my entire makeup life and I trust to deliver. These brands have stood the test of time and are always improving, updating their products.

Among the brands I like and have used that have been around a long time in the drugstores are Olay/CoverGirl, Revlon and L’Oreal. I find that their products deliver…skincare and makeup products. You can’t go wrong with these. In fact, I currently use Olay/CoverGirl regularly. Their anti-aging lineup works very well for me. So I would recommend those 3 brands as a good starting place. And, you can go online to their websites to research their products to see how they can benefit you. You can ask questions. Make your own decisions.

Another product I use and love is Avon. I have sold it over the years and currently do now. Like all skincare/makeup products, not all of them work for everyone even if you sell the product. So I use some other brands to supplement where I need to. But Avon does have wonderful products and good deals. Go onto my personal Avon website listed below and see for yourself. Again, do your own research, ask some questions and make your own decision.

I also sold makeup years ago…Elizabeth Arden and Shiseido. These are high-end department store brands. Other high-end lines include Lancome, Estee Lauder, Mac, Clinique, Dior, Armani, and several others. All are exceptional lines however with a much higher pricetag.

But you really don’t have to spend a ton of money to get good quality products. All of them have the same ingredients in this day and age. The choice is always yours. My “splurge” lines are Elizabeth Arden and the anti-aging foundation by Lancome. I love Shiseido and do buy their wonderful anti-aging foundation when I can. I use these high-end lines for special occasions.

So there you have it. I’ve made the rounds just like you probably have. And we all settle on what works for us and what we can realistically afford. Then of course, we have at least one high-end splurge item. We have to pamper ourselves some in this life don’t we? And it’s perfectly fine if you have a couple of products from a couple of lines. Again, it’s all about what works for you and makes you feel good.

There are also new lines of products on the market now which are completely natural/organic. It is worth it to look into these as well if you want purely natural products. I suggest you Google organic cosmetics to find a list of products.

So. Some practical advice to help you navigate the sea of skincare and makeup products. Trust me…it’s an ocean full of products that will make anyone’s eyes roll back in their heads. Ask me how I know! But thinking just about yourself and what works for you, you can make it through this sea of products and help yourself look and feel beautiful for years to come.

I hope my short list of recommendations helps somewhat. Feel free to ask me any questions in the comment section. I’ll gladly answer. I can’t guarantee it will be a short answer since I love this stuff so much. Haha! Go for it!

https://www.makingmusicwitheve.weebly.com

https://www.avon.com/repstore/eczaja

Posted in Makeup Artistry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Being Healthy

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Evesophia

As a musician I am more than anxious about keeping healthy. I hate being sick or having allergies or other stuff that just digs into your day and makes you feel crummy. It’s especially awful if you are a singer…everything that happens to your body happens to your voice. Playing an instrument, like piano, doesn’t suffer quite as much but it’s still crummy having to perform not feeling well.

So I’ve always tried to eat healthy and do healthy things. About 3 years ago I decided it was time to lose an extra 50 lbs which somehow crept up on me and frankly, were not welcome! Harrumph! Since my head surgery I had been studying holistic medicine…Ayurveda etc. You learn about your body and what makes it tick. What foods work for your body type etc. I tend to run warm hence, why would I eat hot spicy foods? They make me feel hotter…and more irritable. I need to eat foods that make me cooler so to speak and keep me centered. So with this in mind and other readings I did, plus take a 10-day trial with Noom, I put together a spreadsheet of foods I ate and still do. I’ve always eaten mostly healthy. Got rid of a lot of processed foods and junk foods, although I kept a couple of junk things, hehe, and started my 18 month journey to lose 50 lbs. I did it too! After my latest back surgery I lost another 9 lbs but gained some of that back. So in total I’m down 50-55 lbs. I’m fine, I feel and look so much better and…don’t miss my previous self or foods I ate.

It feels different to not eat stuff I used to. You end up losing your taste for certain things too. My only snack nowadays is pita crackers and organic popcorn with olive oil and sea salt. After surgery I lost my interest in a lot of foods as well. Especially higher fat meats like red meat etc. Your body changes and you kind of reinvent yourself nutritionally. Hopefully for the better though! But I’m happier and I’m keeping the weight off. The body gets used to its new self and it’s easier to live your new, healthier life. And…you CAN splurge once in a while, like at those nice Greek festivals.

And of course one must stay active at least moderately. I have physical therapy exercises I do several times a week. Then walking…or even just running around my condo doing this, that and the other thing. You can also exercise in a chair watching TV. Cool!

All of this benefits everything you do. I’m hoping it’s helping my recovery from my latest back surgery. We need all the help we can get to live and stay healthy. It also helps me make better music when feeling good about me. I always said I’m not going to get old. Ok. I don’t think old or look old, and I just expect I’ll be a very good and healthy version of myself until the end.

What about you? Feel free to comment with your recipe for health and longevity. There are as many ways as there are individuals on this earth. What’s yours?

https://www.makingmusicwitheve.weebly.com

https://www.avon.com/repstore/eczaja

Posted in Life with Eve | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Living Life

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Evesophia

This past weekend my Greek Orthodox Church had its annual Greek Festival. ALL homemade food, live music, a bunch of loud Greeks, all having fun and eating like there’s no tomorrow. Ha!

Us ladies do what is called YiaYia’s Attic…YiaYia is Greek for Grandma. It’s a high-end rummage sale. In short, do not declutter your home and dump it on us. Bring us nice, working, used items you don’t need or want anymore that people can get at a bargain. We get Lenox china pieces, Waterford pieces, some Lladro statues, etc. We also get some very interesting items. You wonder how anyone on this Earth would want some of that stuff. Ha! Then there is a bunch of glasses…wine, martini, etc. A lot of them are one and not a pair. Or odd numbers…5 glasses, single coffee cups and saucers, and a whole plethora of mugs. Let’s not forget vases galore. And…Christmas stuff including a Christmas tree or two. Then of course, kids toys etc. You get the picture.

We sold a lot of stuff over the weekend and ran out of food before closing time. That’s actually a good sign. People came to celebrate with us! They liked what they saw and ate…and bought from us ladies. Yay!

I like celebrations, especially when we celebrate special occasions. It’s also just great to celebrate who we are. The Greeks have yearly festivals. The Poles do as well. In fact, most ethnic groups do celebrate themselves and their heritage. Why on Earth NOT?

Life is tough. And it doesn’t get easier. We as a society have years of history behind us. We’ve accomplished a lot but we’ve also grieved a lot, lost a lot, rebuilt a lot, learned from our past a lot, and we’re still moving forward. We live life. It’s not always a bed of roses. That’s why it’s important to take time out to have a big fat party. We tend to lose track of what we’ve been through and focus on the difficult tasks that still need to be done. It’s very easy to forget to appreciate what we’ve actually accomplished in this life. That’s why it’s important to take a break and be loud and dance and eat and…buy stuff you don’t need, etc. Ha!

The great thing about the Greek Festivals is that each Church in the Diocese has one. So they’re spread throughout the summer and fall seasons. Done eating at one? Then move on to the next one next weekend. Make the rounds. Make time in your life to have fun. We do have to get our minds off our problems for a bit to re-energize and center ourselves. Even though problems don’t go away just because we partied all weekend, they just don’t look so bad when we get back to them. We’ve re-fueled.

Look around where you live. Find some ethnic parties. Go and enjoy! They’re better than just clubbing, bar-hopping, yadda-yadda. You’re celebrating other people’s lives and their heritage.

Oh…and that stuff you bought that you don’t need because you were having such a good time at the party? Bring it back next year and we’ll sell it again at YiaYia’s Attic. Don’t think people don’t do that! Hahahahaha!

https://www.makingmusicwitheve.weebly.com

https://www.avon.com/repstore/eczaja

Posted in Life with Eve | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrating Historical People

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Evesophia

As we get closer to July 4, Independence Day, I start thinking about one of my favorite historical figures…George Washington. Love him! Apart from the fact that we have the same birth date, George was a visionary and a hero, not to mention a religious man.

I’ve read a number of books on George. The troops actually called him “Your Excellency” since he wasn’t a military man as such and wasn’t called a general right away. But he had his head on straight and wanted to see a new type of country. We won the Revolutionary War, many thanks to Lafayette and the French who were the best military strategists at the time. Then came the time to define who we were going to be as a country. The leaders at the time wanted Washington to be King. He refused. Isn’t that what we fought a war to get rid of? So instead, they elected him the first President. He had vision for this country. And so far, no other country can measure up to how we did it. America is unique.

Another one of my favorite people is the great composer, Ludwig van Beethoven. He is the first composer I remember hearing when I was probably 4. My Dad played clarinet and we listened to classical music since before I was born I’m sure. Ha!

Beethoven entered the music scene during the Classical period of music. At some point he started to pull away from the classical restraints and pour more emotion into his music. He ended up moving the entire music establishment into the Romantic period of music. No small feat! Pouring more emotion into the music was now a “thing.” Taking a bit more liberties with the music to allow for “emoting” became more commonplace. The music stirred your feelings more and more. Music was on the move…evolving.

Another favorite of mine, not historic, was my long time voice teacher of 20 years. He knew everything about voice. He had a working relationship with a local otolaryngologist at one of the top hospitals in the Chicago area. I went to graduate school where he was the Chair of the Voice Dept. He taught the Vocal Pedagogy class. I wouldn’t take that class with anyone else. He knew it all and could hear it all. I learned to teach working with him all those years besides taking the Pedagogy class. And…what a sense of humor. Ha!

And yet another favorite of mine is my own Dad. Not necessarily an historic person but he was a clarinetist and artist. He was so creative. Of course being a creative artist doesn’t pay bills and support a family so he drove for a private delivery service. But what a talented person he was!

Dad taught me to read music. He would come around with his music when we were playing in the back yard and ask if I wanted to learn that stuff. I said “u-huh!” I mean, it’s Dad…what else would you say at age 4? Ha! I don’t know how many times he did this but by the time we got our piano a few years later and I looked at more music, I knew how to read it. Kids brains are like sponges. Just sop things up!

Dad was also an artist. A REAL good artist. His drawings were absolutely spectacular. And…he built things. Some furniture, a Grandfather Clock for each of us 3 kids beside one for him and Mom. Good grief! What talent!

So when I wanted my bedroom furniture to match years ago and I didn’t have enough money to buy a set of bedroom furniture (poor musician here), I built it from very good furniture kits. I still have that furniture today. I also built my computer desk I am typing on right now. It’s my finest achievement. Then I built a couple of other things in my home. In short, half of my furniture was built by me and a couple by my Dad. The rest was bought.

Wow. Looking back in time really made me think about the historical wonderfully important people who changed the course of history and a couple from current times who helped to make me who I am. As I was writing this I kept thinking about who else I could add to this list. The article would probably go one for weeks so I’ll quit here.

Think about yourself and your life. Who do you admire historically? How about from your own life? Wallow in what it means to you and how it formed your path on this Earth. Leave a comment. It’s amazing to think about stuff like this and put things into perspective…isn’t it?

https://www.makingmusicwitheve.weebly.com

https://www.avon.com/repstore/eczaja

Posted in Eve's Pilosophy | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments