Grandchildren of Note

It would follow that if children had a mother who was a professional clarinetist "of note," then they, too, might just have some musical interests and inclinations, especially if their father was also musical and grew up singing in chorus groups at school. This has always been shown in our two grandsons, Jonny and Christian. One summer we helped take care of Jonny while Kim taught at Interlochen Center for the Arts. As we walked him in his stroller, we heard music everywhere, and Jonny listened to it intently, waving his arms in time to the music, conducting all of the orchestral sounds we heard along the way. The high school kids passing by just loved it! Four years later, both boys have developed an ear for music and have already discovered some favorites. As their Granddad drives them around, they love for him to play his imaginary keyboard along with the classical music on CD, which is obligatory when we drive with them. During the last musical session, he put on a CD of Beethoven, who apparently is no longer the man of the hour. "No, Granddad!" came the echoes from the backseat. "No, Beethoven! We want Tchaikovsky!" Not bad for five and three!