Online since 2002. Patricia and James Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH.

The Power of Music

To see a complete playlist of songs, played and sung by Patricia L. Cummings, available on this site, click here.

My quilt, "On Windy Whispers," was inspired by the words of a song, "Redbird's Wing," written by NH folksinger, Bill Staines. With his permission, the words to the song appear on the back of the quilt.

The Power of Music: A Pictorial Essay

Is Music in the Genes?

For as long as I can remember, music has been a joyful part of my life. Appreciation of music must be genetic. My father and some of his sisters played instruments and were publicly active in sharing their talents. My Dad played clarinet, piccolo, alto sax, and flute. He participated in the marching band in high school, and later, was a member of the American Legion Marching Band, the Nevers 2nd Regiment Band, and other "big band sound" bands in the 1930s/1940s. To hear some cassette recordings from the 1960s of John Grace's music, click here.

Family of Musicians

His sister, Roseanne Edna, called "Edna," played violin with the NH Symphony Orchestra. His sister, Maybelle Theresa, was a music teacher and supervisor of music in the schools of southern New Hampshire for many years, until her retirement. Another sister, Virginia, played organ for local churches. These individuals were very grateful that their mother had insisted on early musical training for them. The result of those lessons was the enjoyment of music throughout their entire lives.

Music in My Life

For the longest time, my instrument was my God-given one, my voice. In parochial school, as a child, I sang in the choir, mostly in Latin in those days of the 1950s. Later, while attending public high school, I participated in the Glee Club.

Folk Guitar

By the mid-1960s, folk music dominated the music scene. One day, after watching a Folk Guitar series on public television, I borrowed my brother Steve's guitar to practice, and I was hooked. Recognizing my interest, my parents signed me up for formal guitar lessons. The lessons did not last long because the teacher was intent on instructing me in steel guitar methods, and I was only interested in acoustic guitar. Through private study, I was able to learn enough chords and notes to satisfy my desire to play the kind of music that I wished to play, at the time.

                                 
                                 Dad and Pat, camping, 1960s

Patricia Grace with 12 string guitar in living room of family home, 1973.

Music Appreciation Classes

At the University of New Hampshire, I took a Music Appreciation course that magnified my awareness of classical artists such as Debussy, Gustav Mahler, Chopin, Beethoven and Vivaldi. In studying the work of those musicians in a formal manner, I was better able to appreciate the genius of it all.

Dad's Eclectic Musical Interests

My father had diverse interests when it came to music. In addition to listening to classical music records, he would often serenade Mom with "Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes," or would croon an old Irish ballad, like "Cockles and Mussels." He might be playing a John Philip Sousa marching tune on his clarinet, or else he would play the latest pop hit of the 1960s for which he had picked up sheet music.

Later in that decade, Country Western music was gaining ground on the popular music scene. Dad, who referred to it as "crying music," was fond of listening to it, nonetheless, at least once a day. 

Of course, that was the era of the Lawrence Welk Show, mandatory television watching for every Saturday night, which convinced me that my folks had turned into old fuddy-duddies. I usually retreated to my room to study. Ironically, I find myself watching some of the old re-runs of the Lawrence Welk Show today, with unexplainable interest.

The record cabinets at home abounded with Broadway show tunes, such as the tracts from "Porgy and Bess," "West Side Story," "Brigadoon," and "The King and I." It is hard to remember a time when music was not being listened to, or being played at home.

As my love of folk music increased and my proficiency with the guitar improved,
I was invited to sing and play for others. My uncle, a veteran of all seven major battles of World War II, arranged for me to visit the Veteran's Hospital to share my music.

As a 4-H Junior Leader in my home town, I sang and played guitar at a community get-together in conjunction with an annual fundraising dinner for the club.

Music as Part of Comfort

I liked to sing songs that my parents enjoyed hearing. My Dad's favorite was "Amazing Grace." My mother came to prefer "Send in the Clowns," and "Both Sides Now," two songs that she loved to listen to when Dad lay dying of cancer. At fourteen, I wrote a little song that now seems so juvenile. The lyrics reflect a time in my life of simplicity and innocence.

Sharing Music with the "Younger Generation"

When I would go camping with my parents, they would ask me to tote the guitar along. Sitting around the campfire with little nieces, I remember that most sing-a-longs included "Puff the Magic Dragon," a popular Peter, Paul and Mary song of that era.

The nicest thing about music is that it can be appreciated at any age. Trends may come and go, but man's ability and need to fill empty air with song and the sound of instruments, does not change.

If you visit a nursing home, the music of choice might be, "Over There," "Daisy," "Moon River," or "It's a Grand Old Flag." The residents might not recall what they had for breakfast, but they do remember the words to these tunes. While rap music could be a little scary to these same folks, the old lyrics and musical notes are a comfort in their familiarity.

       
                   Pat with her late brother Steve, and late brother
                   Jack's wife, Kitty. Photo taken in the late 1960s.

Music is powerful. Any number of emotions can be elicited through its power. Some of these are: serenity; patriotism;  triumph; nostalgia; romance; and suspense. Music can make us want to get up and dance, or it can make us re-live our emotions during another time in our lives.

Music Evokes Memories 

I feel strong emotions when listening to a cassette tape of my Dad playing clarinet, and of my brother and I singing while I played guitar in the 1960s. Healthy and vibrant, our young voices are singing, "When I'm dead and buried, don't you weep after me," and "I'm gonna talk with the Prince of Peace, down by the riverside, ...not gonna study war no more."

I don't listen to the tape very often, fearing that it may soon self-destruct. The tape is valuable for only sentimental reasons. What a gift to be able to hear my dear late brother's deep and resonant voice again, and to hear my father's clear tones on clarinet. Through this music, I am transported to another time and place, when I was oh, so young, and before I had lived a life, with all of its joys and disappointments.

Music can powerfully impact on our mood. I love music...of all kinds. I often listen to music when I am quilting. Music can transcend loneliness and makes one feel connected to the rest of humanity. It speaks of the commonality of human experience, not divisiveness. Sing along, play a tune, or just sit back and enjoy. There is a type of music to please everyone. Listening to music is a good use for your ears and an inspiration for the soul!

All songs formerly listed here have been moved to a separate file. Please see the song playlist link, located at the top of this page.

All information on this website is copyright-protected. Please ask before usurping it for any of your needs or wishes. Thanks. Patricia Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH. 2009. pat@quiltersmuse.com

pat@quiltersmuse.com