Instead of running or weightlifting while Anne is in seminary, I practiced the piano this morning instead. Erica Burt, a young woman at church asked me to play Sleigh Ride as a duet with her at the Relief Society Christmas party and accompany her when she and also the young women sang. I had been thinking about how much I was missing singing in a choir and musical groups, only to be asked to do this and sing a duet in sacrament meeting just a few days after. The piano duet is challenging and I have been practicing a lot. This morning, it started to be easy and so I am confident that by Thursday I will not embarrass my self or my partner.
Being able to play the piano has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. I remember playing on the piano as a preschooler wishing I knew how to play real songs. When we moved to Lethbridge, Julie, Janice and I took lessons from a Mrs. Baines, a very old, immobile, but pleasant lady. I never minded practicing, that I can remember, but I was annoyed at the simpleness of the music. "Here we go up the hill to a birthday party" will be forever in my mind. When we moved to Scandia there was not teacher and lessons stopped until the schools in Bow City, Rainer and Scandia were centralized and I went to Rainer. Before that Scandia, Jenny Lind, had been a four room school with grades 1-12.
Arthur Belcher, a piano teacher, was going to give lessons during school in the old Quonset next to the school. Anyone who wanted would have 30 minute lessons during the school day. Mr Belchur drove from Calgary to Rainier and other schools in the County of Newell. Snow storms never stopped him and for $8.00 a month I had lessons until I got too busy to practice in high school. He was short, with grey hair dyed red and chain smoked through the lessons. He had been a concert pianist and now had dedicated his life to teaching farm students to play any instrument that they wanted - mandolin, violin, guitar. He could play jazz, Chopin and what I especially liked was that he taught me how to chord with popular songs that he printed out. Along with the classical pieces, these were fun and, even when they were simple, made me feel like I was a great pianist.
I practiced about four days a week and soon learned to play hymns and primary songs. I was called as the chorister in Sacrament meeting when I was 10, Janice was the organist and as the primary pianist when I was 11. I loved playing and many hours were spent in Mom and Dad's bedroom where the piano was. Mr Belchur thought I was wonderfully talented and was so encouraging, kind of embarrassing me with praise at recitals. Alas, practicing scales and paying attention to the detail of getting every note right, was not my forte and I have always felt that my potential was not realized.
Now it is Christmas and I am looking forward to playing for our Christmas Carolling party. I sort of feel like this event is selfish because I don't think anyone enjoys singing as much as I enjoy playing. I do so love it. One of the fears of my life is that I will get arthritis in my hands and won't be able to play. I would so love to be like Elsa Myers, still playing in Relief Society in her 90'sa. Perhaps by then, Alice,Elise, Ella or Dotty will also be able to entertain me. Then again it might be a rockstart Audry. She is getting an early start in this picture.
