My Musical Life

My musical life as a performer began and ended at my seventh-grade graduation from Hale Cook School. In those days you graduated from grade school after the seventh grade and were off to high school.

My seventh-grade class had practiced the three songs we were going to sing at our graduation ceremony for almost three months. We were all dressed up and eager to sing for the audience when my teacher came to me and said, “Don't sing, just move your mouth. You might spoil it!” I was deeply hurt but I sang anyway.

I love music, although I know I do not have what is called good rhythm. So how is it possible that I married two women who love to dance and were accomplished dancers? The only part of dancing I liked was the slow dance because that meant virtually standing still and swaying while you held your partner close. It tells you something that Robbie, after our divorce, moved back to Kansas City and married Bob Reynolds, the guy who had been her favorite dancing partner at yacht club parties.

Betty was also a marvelous and enthusiastic dancer. She tolerated me during the slow dances. However, she was a very popular partner when the tempo picked up.

Now don't get me wrong, I love music and for many years have bought season-tickets to the Aspen Music Festival rehearsals. I sometimes go to the Sunday concerts, still, I prefer the rehearsals because you hear the entire concert and also the conductor perfecting the orchestra members’ performance.

I also enjoy musical theater though I recently figured out that I am paying for a ticket to watch the dancing that I cannot see. It makes more sense to ask Alexa to play the performance so I can enjoy the music without being frustrated by missing the dancing.

My musical life? Enjoy? Yes. Perform? No.