As usual, our past weekend was very busy, but this being a holiday weekend it was even more so. We’d already made plans for a Sunday road trip, which Lynndee has already shared with you , and there will be more to come from her about that. But Saturday began our adventures with a different experience of a musical nature: a marimba concert right in the middle of downtown.
That’s my daughter on the right. And her fiancé is in the yellow shirt, leaning against the wall on the left.
Asheville, NC, is the cultural hub of Western North Carolina for many reasons, music and street performers being one of them. And in this instance, the marimba band is a group my daughter became involved with recently. The group is made up of teachers from the charter school she teaches at, and her being a music teacher there, it was a no-brainer that she would become a member.
The marimba is a percussion instrument made up of a set of wooden bars struck with mallets producing musical tones, basically a xylophone. The instrument’s origins are west and Central Africa, eventually making its way to Central America by way of African slaves in the 16th or 17th century. Since making its way to America, it has been used by many artists in all types of music, including woodwind and brass ensembles, marimba concertos, jazz ensembles, marching bands, drum and bugle corps, and orchestral compositions. A unique sound it is.
But the performance we heard was strictly a marimba ensemble, a group of the instruments ranging from bass to baritone to tenor. It was interesting to watch the musicians for they moved from one instrument to another during the performance, all of them playing each one over the course of the different pieces played, a learning experience.
Though my daughter is new at this instrument, I’m sure she’ll master it as she has done others throughout her musical career. She began playing the flute in the 5th grade, taking it all the way through middle and high school, where she was in the concert and marching bands as well as being a member of the Asheville Youth Symphony Orchestra. All that experience earned her a full university scholarship which allowed her to graduate with a BA in Music Education.
I can’t help but think that the love of music and the ability to make music come alive is a genetic thing. My daughter was also in the university choir, a talent which she most likely got from my mother who had a wonderful voice. I taught myself to play the guitar when I was thirteen, carrying on the tradition of my mom’s dad who played the banjo. Being a music teacher, my daughter knows the basics of playing all orchestral instruments, but she’s also taught herself to play the guitar, like me, the banjo, like her great-grandfather, and mandolin, adding that additional instrument, surpassing the abilities of both me and her great- grandfather.
And the legacy of music in my family has now carried onward into a fifth generation since mine and Lynndee’s son, Yogi, began playing the trumpet in the 6th grade intermediate school band, which he will continue when he moves into middle school next year. Just as books have been an integral part of my life, music has filled it with the beauty of living in a world full of beautiful melodies. It gets no better than that.
I think music is special to so many people for so many reasons. Glad to hear that music is such a big part of your lives.
That looks like so much fun. I wish I were musically inclined, but I can’t play anything. =(
It sounds like you’ve got very musical kids! What a fun experience. I’d love to be able to play the xylophone/marimba like these accomplished players do. My son is the musical one in our family!
That looks like lots of fun, I love all your photos, thanks for sharing 😀
What a neat thing to experience. I enjoy listening to different musical performances.
What a great way to spend Memorial weekend! Sounds like you had some wonderful family time. Music talent is such an awesome thing to pass down.
I’ve never heard of that particular instrument before. My entire family, except me, is very musically gifted. I don’t play or sing. 🙂
It’s so cool that your family is so musical. I bet that marimba group will come up with more and more pieces as they all improve their skills.
I love music. Especially live music this would be so great to see! I love when people are out on the street just jamming!
I envy anyone that can play a musical instrument and it is great that your kids are interested in learning. The marimba show is pretty neat!
I love this! I love love love watching live performances of all kinds! I hope my boys choose to play or sing. You must be proud!
How cool!!! I love street art and performers and I’m sure the marimba music was amazing!!
I think it’s great that music can touch some many people in their lives. I bet you are so proud of your families tradition for the love of music. I think it’s awesome!
Music is so overpowering. The love of it is not something that needs passing down in order to be enjoyed by the next generation but it is too alluring not to share.
It’s so lovely that music is such an important part of your lives. That is such a great picture, looks like a lot of fun 🙂
Music is such a great thing! I love it and my kiddos love it. Some of my kiddos play instruments as well. Looks like Marimba madness happened on a nice sunny day.
I would love to sit and listen to them play. I bet they sound fantastic. I love going to drumming circles when i can.
Looks like fun! Music is such a fun and educational thing that you could learn.
What a fun weekend memory! I hope everyone had a relaxing Memorial Day Weekend. We enjoyed the sunshine!
That would be so fun to go to. Your daughter does sound very musical. My 2nd daughter took up the flute last year. So far, my oldest two have struck out with the piano, but I’m hoping the 2nd will stick with the flute.
It sounds like you had an awesome time listening and watching her. She sounds totally amazing and is a great example for your son too. I love watching and listening to different performances like this one. Thanks for sharing.
My family and I have an appreciation for music. However, I have never heard of the marimba instrument before. Interesting!
I’m heading to Asheville this summer and I can’t wait. I’ve never heard of marimba. Will have to look into that. We have a house full of musical kids!
That sounds so cool! I love live music. Never heard of Marimba before.
That looks like SO much fun! Music is just one of those things that can really make a day out even better 🙂
How fun! We’ve been through Asheville but didn’t stop log enough to explore. I love North Carolina, there are so many totally different places, from the beach, to the country, to the city, and then this!