Music

My cousin Nena and I started music lessons at the same time. Our parents made the decision for us, for we were neither of us musical, nor were we looking for more work! It was decided that the lessons would be given at tia ________ house where a grand piano stood at one end of the formal sala. I approved of the locale, because it meant that Miss and I would take the three o'clock mule tram to the point nearest Nena's house, then walk down two blocks of a sunny lane. As we came near the house, feeling much wilted by the heat, the sound of scales would waft out to us. Our teacher must have been good, but the material she had to work with was not inspiring! I hated the lessons, and more so the home practice, though the big book of scales and exercises made me feel important.

As long as the music lesson was in progress, the library and chapel at the Perico's must have been unusable by those who wished either to read or to pray.

Our hour of merry tinkling over, the music teacher would depart and normal life resume. We would be summoned to say the Rosary with the assembled household, and then the Misses, Nena and I, would have tea on the verandah overlooking the fountain. Cambric tea, bread and butter, perhaps strawberry jam -- sometimes cookies -- the sugar coating to the musical pill!

This page was last updated on Sunday, April 11, 2004.