Where the Music Comes From

While the Robertsons have many, many athletes, Hermione's and Prudence's "Superior" piano rating at state music festival did not come from that side of the family.  Orville cannot credit the Robertsons for his 1st chair trumpet seat at state band or his "Superior" trumpet score at state music festival.  Nor can Petunia or Eglantine cite Robertson genes for their singing excellence that made it possible for them to be included in the audition singing groups in school.

Prudence in an early performance

I first remember Dad singing when he began coming to our church after he was baptized. He could never seem to find the right note.  Mom said Dad's singing difficulties were because there was no music in his home when he was growing up.  Once, I asked Dad about his parents and music.  He told me his mother couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, but his Dad played the violin for dances.  Mom later confided that Grandpa was a horrible violin player and just scratched the thing back and forth, more like a rhythm instrument.

The music in the family was passed down through the Prices, typical Welshmen.  Both Grandpa Price and Uncle Kevin have beautiful bass voices, even without ever having had benefit of singing lessons.  Of course, Grandma Latour is a master at both the piano and the organ, playing for church and for many other events.  I don't know if the Thorpes are Welsh or not, but if musical talent is an indicator of Welsh ancestry, she should be. Grandma is loaded with talent.

The Hansens and Millers, Mom's family, were also very musical.  Mom mentioned having a cousin sing in the Tabernacle Choir. Mom's mother, Annie Margaret Hansen recalled hearing her mother and older sister, both born in Denmark, sing "their music" in their own language.  Annie Margaret thought it was beautiful.

Hermione on stage

I think Mom was correct when she said Dad's difficulty with music, some of it anyway,  was due to no music in his home because over the years at church he improved enough that he could find the right notes half of the time or more. Despite the fact that Dad was no musician, he loved music and appreciated hearing others play and perform.  He recalled walking up to the cabin of a sheepherder when his family lived at York so that he could listen to a symphony on the man's radio.  Dad was a trooper about attending my band and choral performances.  Still, being a Robertson, I know he preferred my track meets.