How Music Shapes Our Home

I’m not a musician. As my wife and son will quickly tell you, I have very little rhythm and I’m not much of a dancer. When Karen and I dance, she leads. Karen, on the other hand, is a musician. A classically trained violinist. A teacher whose students now play in symphonies around the world. I’m clearly outclassed. But over the years I’ve learned something about music and how it quietly threads through a day.

Karen holding her violin close to her face, one eye visible through the instrument, reflecting her lifelong connection to music.

When I drive Chase to school, we listen to 80s music. One of my favorite moves, much to his chagrin, is quoting lyrics before the song even comes on. “Chase, there is a little black spot on the sun today.” He looks at the sky like I’ve lost it. Then Sting starts singing. Immediate eye roll. This morning Chase flipped the script and started singing “Hurts So Good” before John Cougar even came in. I just smiled, knowing he’d be humming it all the way into school. The best mornings are when we land on “Africa” by Toto. If you can’t start your day smiling to Toto, I’m not sure you’re doing it right.

Music in our home didn’t happen by accident. Karen introduced it early, from Mommy and Me music classes when they were little to signing Chase up for piano lessons and eventually nudging him toward choir. Like most preteens, he gave immediate pushback. Reluctantly agreed. And shocking absolutely no one but him, he loved it. Not long after joining choir, he started taking voice lessons and discovered a real passion for singing.

When I sit down to work, the soundtrack shifts with the moment. If I’m stuck, it’s peaceful Disney piano music. If I’m in a creative groove, it’s John Williams. When that Indiana Jones score hits, I get a little extra step. As the day winds down, I move to Hailey Tuck. I can’t quite explain it, but she feels like the bridge from work mode to a cocktail with Karen.

After all of it, I know one thing. I have Karen to thank for opening our home to music and for showing us how it shapes life around us. Now I sit in awe watching Chase play the piano and listening to him sing every morning in the shower as he gets ready for school.

Imagine Buddy the Elf at full volume.

That’s Chase.

And honestly, I wouldn’t change a note. (Yes pun intended cause Chase loves a good pun)