<p>To all of you fantastic musicians with mothers (especially those who are impoverished college students):</p>
<p>Some of the dearest possessions in our household are recordings of our kiddos' performances, especially the ones we were unable to attend due to distance or schedule conflicts. </p>
<p>If your school permits it, burn a copy for Mom. If not, see if you can buy a copy - it probably won't break the bank and will really make Mom happy. </p>
<p>And I know finals and juries are upon us, but - call home. The sound of your voice means a lot more than a text message.</p>
<p>Me third- Amen!
And may I say that I really don’t like it when schools don’t record the performances and also refuse to allow others to do so. Yes, I understand copyright laws, but when it’s your D or S up there with a leading role and you aren’t able keep it any way other than in your memory, it’s not nice…</p>
<p>I agree, too. After 5 years of following S2 to every gig (and bar in town), we are still going through withdrawal. I recorded all of his gigs that I attended–nothing high quality, just my laptop and a good mike–and we still listen to them. It’s like pulling teeth to get recordings from him now, and even then, it’s not him and a rhythm section like it used to be.</p>
<p>I have been on both sides of the recording issue - as a young singer whose parents followed him everywhere with cassette deck in hand, and as the father of a budding musician who has probably been recorded more than I ever was. </p>
<p>I remember one time at a recital when my parents ran out of blank tapes, so wound up trying to tape over some Christmas cassette they had previously bought. Not realizing that pre-recorded cassettes came with the little write protection tab removed, they discovered the hard way that the record button on the cassette deck would not operate when record and play were pressed simultaneously, but that the play button worked just fine. I had just launched into Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden” or something similarly somber and depressing when I was interrupted by a rousing chorus of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” coming from their machine in the center of the front row. If looks could kill, I would have probably orphaned myself that day. I have thought of that event every time I ever attempted to record my daughter, and have always made sure to have plenty of blank recording media on hand. </p>
<p>To the parents: it is not that your children do not love you, or that they delight in withholding their precious recordings from you. Hearing oneself play on a recording is very difficult for many musicians, particularly at that age. It may be that a subtle flaw or two makes them feel that their performance on the recording is so horrible that every copy should be rounded up and destroyed. They may also feel that the main reason you want their recordings is to establish bragging rights, and they are already uncomfortable with being trotted out for a performance at every social gathering. Try not to get too upset if they have not sent you a copy of their latest school concert the day it becomes available. (Hint: some schools have a recording department that will allow parents to order copies for themselves without help from the student. Some even accept standing pre-orders for all recordings of a particular ensemble that WILL be shipped the day they become available.)</p>
<p>To the students: it is not that your parents think of you as some sort of performing animal act, to be produced whenever company shows up. They are simply so proud of your accomplishments that they want to share them as often as possible. Once you are away at school, they miss not having your music around the house on a daily basis and are suffering symptoms of musical withdrawal. Sending them a recording now and then, even if you don’t think it is your best work, is not going to kill you and it will make them very happy. (Hint: If you send it early on in the semester, or right after getting back to school from break, you won’t have to sit through repeated playings as often.)</p>
<p>My son just emailed me MP3s of his final concert (last Sunday). We haven’t been able to hear him all year, so I’m thrilled and typing this while I burn myself a CD. LITERALLY music to me ears! A very nice early Mother’s Day!</p>
<p>DD learned long ago that I AM going to get recordings when at all possible so she might as well make it easy It lets me feel so much closer to her and her life. </p>
<p>She sent us the link to the live streaming of their final concert. The campus radio station had it on their programming. It was wonderful to experience it live when we could not travel to be there.</p>
<p>I didn’t get to hear Son’s end of year grad recital last Thurs (DH did).</p>
<p>But son did remember to call today and he shared a blow by blow with me via phone and also shared plans for summer, and life in general.
A perfect Mother’s Day gift.</p>
It lets me feel so much closer to her and her life. </p>