Passion for Music

(image credit)

I love music. I always have. I grew up in a pretty musical family, with my dad being a huge lover of music. When he was younger, he toured around with his band for a year, playing drums and doing leads. When I was in high school, he was in a band and did gigs at parties and events. He also made it into the top 3 to almost be the President of the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. He is pretty much a Rock 'n Roll historian. He now plays drums at his church, is the main worship leader, and helps do lead on vocals. He is pretty much the most awesome dad ever. But that's besides the point.

(Briana singing at her final concert)

My sister, Briana, has always loved music and played instruments, sang in choirs, and just finished her degree in music therapy. She did an amazing classical music concert for her degree at Cleveland State; it was fantastic!! Music flows through her veins, too.
All this to say, I have always loved music, and have always been a part of it. I have played instruments (flute, piano, guitar), sang in choir for countless years in elementary school, junior high, high school, and college, sang on worship teams for church, led worship for home groups, and did special music with my sister when I was a kid at church. I have lots of other hobbies, but music has always been something that was a part of me. In college I sang with the Women's Concert Choir for 4 years, and it was amazing. 50 women's voices, all synced together singing praise music to God, traveling together all over the country and overseas, and working really hard to know the music. They were some of the best years of my life.

(Miss these girls terribly!!)

It has been hard to be as much a part of music since becoming a mom. Having babies is so demanding on your time that it's hard to commit to anything and make schedules work together. I have done a little music, here and there, but not too much. I miss it. A lot.
Since moving down to Oklahoma, Tad has gotten involved in singing worship at his parents church. He loves it. I have since gotten involved in the worship team and am practicing playing guitar with them just during our practices. I don't think I'm the best vocalist, or the most amazing musician, or the best at harmonies. I just know I love music. And however I can be a part of it, it fills me. It is a part of who I am, and I love it.
So, I hope that with the schedules of my kids, the babysitting, and all that goes with being a mom can all coordinate with me staying involved with the worship team. It is awesome to use your voice to sing praises to God , to help lead other people in worship, and to be a part of a team that works together towards the same goal of sounding good and glorifying the Father!
And of course, it makes me think of my dad, who is so involved in his worship team back home in Ohio. I miss him, it makes me feel a part of what he's doing, and it makes me anxious for him to come down and visit us!!
I love you, Dad! Thanks for instilling in me a love for music, a passion for sticking with it, for teaching me harmony, and for always encouraging me in my pursuit of music. You have always been my biggest fan, from videotaping every choir concert, to traveling to see WCC perform, to recording me singing in the studio, to letting me play tambourine while you practiced your band songs in the game room. I have loved being a part of music with you, and hopefully one day we can do music together. I know that's your wish!!