December 23rd, 2021 • Music Education
How is Music a Gift to You? A Parent’s Perspective
Happy Holidays from the Omaha Conservatory! Though this season is often known for being exceptionally busy and stressful, we thought there was no better time to slow down for a moment and ask members of our Conservatory community how music has been a gift to them throughout their lives. This three-part blog series will feature installments from an Artist-Faculty member, a parent, and a student. We are touched by their willingness to share their perspective, and we think you’ll enjoy reading three separate accounts tied together by a mutual love for the cherished art form of music.
This installment is written by Conservatory Parent extraordinaire, Amanda Abuhl. Thank you, Amanda, for sharing your family’s incredible story and for your touching and inspiring words.
We are a family of seven. We are on an unexpected path that started almost five years ago with the birth of our fifth child.
Evangeline was born several weeks early; that was our only notice that our lives were about to change forever. Evangeline has a mutation on her KCNT1 gene that causes unstoppable seizures. In 2017, there were only four known cases of this mutation in the world.
Life turned upside-down. Managing a medically fragile child drains mental, emotional and physical resources. Like many families, we were involved in a thousand things. We had to cut back. We took a look at everything we were doing, and decided that we would prioritize music. Why music? Because it has properties of growth and healing that our family needed in order to move forward; because it is soothing and patient, and does not ask for more than you can give.
For four years now, our family has used what little time and energy we have to keep moving forward with music. There is a beautiful dynamic in our house now. The four older children play viola, cello, and violin. The youngest, Evangeline, is a dedicated music critic. We are pretty sure she only gives positive reviews!
The beauty of music is that you can put as little or as much as you want into playing and studying music, and that input will move you down the road. There will be progress. It doesn’t have to be a lot—you do not have to move far down the road. When you find yourself in a time of life when things seem dark, and the way ahead is unclear, music will move inevitably onward, providing hope of progress and movement forward; even if it is a little bit at a time.
We are four years past the decision to advance with music. Life is still challenging. But when we see how far the family has come musically, we are encouraged, and our spirits lift for another day. This year, when we put up our Christmas tree, the kids immediately pulled out their Christmas music, and an impromptu quartet formed in our living room as they marked the turning of the season with the old Christmas songs. And this year, they played them even better than the last!
